Can Scorpion Venom Help Treat Glioblastoma?

[turbo]

His recent seizure probably resulted from the tumor. A close friend of mine died of glioblastoma several years ago. It was pretty aggressive and her doctors gave her 6 months - the cute little scrapper took 18. I miss her.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_re_us/kennedy;_ylt=ApBX4s57twwVphIPFPb0q7qs0NUE

 

[Poop-Loops]

Cue Hillary saying "See? That's why he endorsed Obama! Vote for me instead!"

 

[Astronuc]

BOSTON - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor Tuesday in what could be the grim final chapter in a life marked by exhilarating triumph and shattering tragedy. Some experts gave the liberal lion less than a year to live.

Doctors discovered the tumor after the 76-year-old senator and sole surviving son of America's most storied political family suffered a seizure over the weekend. The diagnosis cast a pall over Capitol Hill, where the Massachusetts Democrat has served since 1962, and came as a shock to a family all too accustomed to sudden, calamitous news. . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_go_co/kennedy

If he's already had a seizure due to the tumor, it would seem that it is relatively advanced. Presumably he needs surgery if he wishes to buy time, but that my depend on the location of the tumor.

Kennedy, the Senate's second-longest serving member, was re-elected in 2006 and is not up for election again until 2012. Were he to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat 145 to 160 days afterward.

Among the potential Democratic candidates: Martha Coakley, the state's attorney general; Rep. Edward J. Markey; former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, Kennedy's nephew; and Kennedy's wife. The Republican contenders could include former Gov. Mitt Romney or former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey.

So we wait to see if he resigns or continues to stay in office through the Nov. election or beyond.

 

[chemisttree]

When one of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glial_cell" goes bad it goes really bad. I've known a few people that had glial blastoma type cancers and one with an astrocytoma. What a terrible thing.

http://www.braintumorfoundation.org/tumors/primer.htm"

 

[daveb]

There have been good advances with treating gliomas using I-131 labeled scorpion venom. Not a surefire cure, but at least it holds promise.