New York:  Senator Edward Kennedy, a leading liberal leader, was today undergoing surgery for removal of a malignant tumour at the Duke University hospital in Durham in North Carolina.

During the surgery lasting four to six hours, doctors would try to remove as much cancerous tumour as possible and after he recovers, 76-year old patriarch of the Kennedy family would undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Kennedy, who has been Senator since 1962,had suffered a seizure on May 17 and was rushed to Massachusetts hospital. He was later diagnosed to be suffering from malignant glioma, often a lethal form of cancer.

After consulting with experts from the around the country, doctors decided that the best course would be surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

It was unclear when the chemotherapy would start but some experts said it could take up to three weeks.

In a statement, Kennedy said he expected to remain in the hospital for about a week after which he would begin radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

"I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge," Kennedy said.

Dr Allan Friedman, who was carrying out operation and the Duke Hospital are known for surgery called "motor mapping" in which doctors locate the areas of the brain responsible for things such as movement and speech and map these areas to ensure they are avoided.

Source : PTI