Sen. Edward Kennedy diagnosed with brain cancer

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Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)was recently hospitalized after suffering an apparent seizure. Paramedics responded to his home on Saturday, and the senator was then airlifted to a Cape Cod hospital. Doctors have since diagnosed the Democratic fixture with a malignant brain tumor. His physicians have said a normal prescription would include radiation and chemotherapy, but said a specific treatment would be worked out with Kennedy when his condition is further analyzed.

Kennedy is the Senate's second most senior member, following Robert Byrd, and has long been a champion of liberal issues and priorities. He reached across the aisle early during President George W. Bush's first term to enact education reform. Earlier this year he announced his support for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid, and campaigned alongside the candidate in California and Massachusetts. His son, Patrick Kennedy, is a seven-term congressman representing Rhode Island's 1st congressional district.

Kennedy returned home Wednesday morning following a 5-day hospital stay.