Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is out of surgery performed Monday at Duke University Medical Center to treat a malignant brain tumor.

“I am pleased to report that Sen. Kennedy’s surgery was successful and accomplished our goals,” said Dr. Allan Friedman, who performed the operation.

“Sen. Kennedy was awake during the resection, and should therefore experience no permanent neurological [effects] from the surgery,” Friedman continued.

“The surgery lasted roughly three-and-a-half hours and is just the first step in Sen. Kennedy’s treatment plan. After a brief recuperation, he will begin targeted radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment. I hope that everyone will join us in praying for Sen. Kennedy to have an uneventful and robust recovery.”

— Erin P. Billings and Tim Taylor