BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor, doctors treating him at Massachusetts General Hospital said Tuesday.
Sen. Edward Kennedy suffered a seizure Saturday in Hyannisport, Massachusetts.
Kennedy, 76, was hospitalized Saturday morning after suffering a seizure at his family's compound at Hyannisport, Massachusetts.
"Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe," according to a statement from the doctors treating the senator.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said President Bush was "deeply saddened" by the news and would keep the senator in his prayers.
Malignant glioma is the most common primary brain tumor, accounting for more than half of the 18,000 primary malignant brain tumors diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Kennedy had surgery in October to clear his carotid artery in hopes of preventing a stroke.
In recent days, Kennedy had appeared to be in fine health. On Friday, he took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new maritime learning center in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
He suffers chronic back pain from injuries suffered in a plane crash in 1964.
The usual course of treatment for Kennedy's type of tumor includes radiation and chemotherapy, said the statement from Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Larry Ronan, primary care physician at the hospital.
"Decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Sen. Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis," the doctors continued.
"Sen. Kennedy will remain at Massachusetts General Hospital for the next couple of days according to routine protocol. He remains in good spirits and full of energy."
Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1962. He is one of only six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. He is known as a liberal champion of social issues such as health care, family leave and the minimum wage.
Former Senate colleague Bob Kerrey of Nebraska told The Associated Press, "I'm really sad," when informed of Kennedy's cancer. "He's the one politician who brings tears to my eyes when he speaks."
The Lt. Governor who took over when Carnahan died made it crystal clear that Mel's wife would be picked by him to fill the seat of Mel "won" the race. Everybody in the State knew a vote for Mel was really a vote for Joan instead.
