John McCain Diagnosed with Brain Cancer

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Home - Stephen Lendman)

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ccording to Cancer.net, an estimated 23,800 adult Americans are diagnosed with the disease annually - also about 4,830 children. Brain or other nervous system cancer is the nation’s 10th leading cause of death, an estimated 16,700 adults succumbing annually. The 5-year survival rate is 34% for men, 36% for women, depending on various factors, including type of tumor, its size, location, grade, whether it can be entirely surgically removed, age of the patient, whether he or she is functional, if the tumor spread and how aggressively.

Chances for survival decrease with age. McCain is 80. Children up to age 14 have a 73% chance to recover and live normally. For the elderly it’s 5% - though radiation and chemotherapy can lengthen lives of patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme ones fare worst. Survival rate for the afflicted aged 55 - 64 is only 1%.

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[dropcap]M[/dropcap]cCain was diagnosed with primary gliobtastoma. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, it’s an aggressive tumor in the tissue of the brain and spinal cord. Only 10% of patients with the disease live five years or longer, not a positive prognosis for McCain. In August 2009, Senator Ted Kennedy succumbed to brain cancer, 15 months after his illness was diagnosed.

During a routine physical exam last week, Mayo Clinic Arizona doctors discovered a blood clot above McCain’s left eye. Though successfully removed, tissue pathology showed brain cancer. McCain will likely undergo radiation and/or chemo treatment. It’s too early to know if his illness marks the end of his Senate career - surely if he’s unable to return to Washington and function normally. He was discharged last Saturday, continuing his recovery at home. Since 1993, he’s had three malignant melanomas removed. He’s undergone regular screenings for years.

His web site said he “and his family are reviewing further treatment options with his Mayo Clinic care team. (They) may include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.” McCain’s brain cancer is very aggressive, much like imperial policies he supported for 30 years as a US senator - succeeding Barry Goldwater in January 1987. He currently chairs the Senate’s Armed Services Committee. He’s one of the most Russophobic, hawkish US senators, a rabid supporter of all imperial wars.

Given the seriousness of his illness, he may have had his last hurrah.