× Pathology report on Sen. John McCain reveals brain cancer
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain, 80, has been diagnosed with a primary glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, Mayo Clinic doctors directly involved in the senator’s care told CNN.
The senator underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on Friday at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Lab results from that surgery confirmed the presence of glioblastoma associated with the blood clot.
Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive tumor that forms in the tissue of the brain and spinal cord, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
A pathologist was in the operating room during the procedure, a minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision, said his doctor, who added that the surgery lasted about 3 to 4 hours. Post-surgical brain scans show the tissue causing concern has been completely removed.
McCain is recovering “amazingly well,” according to a statement from his office.
The senator showed no neurological problems before or after the operation, said his doctors. Though not identified by name, at McCain’s request, his doctors were given permission speak with Gupta, who is also a practicing neurosurgeon.
McCain is now recovering at his Arizona home. He and his family are considering treatment options, which will likely include radiation and chemotherapy, his doctors said.
Doctors discovered the clot during a routine physical exam last week. They said he is very diligent about coming in to scheduled exams and is seen every four months for skin checks due to his history of skin cancer.
He arrived at his early morning appointment, Friday before 8 am and as per usual, looked good, according to a doctor who has been involved in his care for nearly a decade. McCain, described as not being a complainer, did report feeling fatigued, which he attributed to a rigorous travel schedule.
He also told his doctor he had, at times, felt foggy and not as sharp as he typically is. In addition, he reported having double vision. These symptoms and doctor intuition prompted a CT scan.
When the results came back, McCain, who had already left the clinic, was asked to return for an MRI. Before the operation, his neurological exam was normal, according to his doctor.
The operation began in the late afternoon and the senator was recovering in the ICU by evening. His doctors told Gupta they were amazed at how sharp McCain was when he awoke. He knew what year it was and started cracking jokes. He also made it clear that he wanted to leave the hospital and get back to work, his doctors said.
Showing no signs of cognitive delays, McCain was discharge Saturday and has been recovering at his home since then.
His doctors would not reveal details but said his post operative care is standard.
His doctor said McCain was oriented, with good balance and no headaches or seizures.
The clot was over the senator’s left eye, not far from the left temple where he was diagnosed with melanoma in 2000. Previously, McCain had three other malignant melanomas removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002. None of these melanomas were invasive. All were declared Stage 0.
However, McCain has been regularly screened by his doctors since 2000.
Gupta was one of a select group of reporters who reviewed McCain’s medical records in 2008 when he was campaigning for president.
The surgical procedure McCain underwent is “a significant operation,” said Gupta, explaining that a bone underneath the eyebrow had to be removed to do the procedure and then later put back.
“It’s a very aggressive tumor,” said Gupta. He explained that survival for malignant glioblastoma tends to be around 14 months with treatment, which could not begin until the incision heals, which would be in the next three or four weeks.
However, a 2009 study reported that almost 10% of patients with glioblastoma may live five years or longer, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
“This is the same tumor that Ted Kennedy had,” said Gupta.
McCain’s diagnosis is the latest chapter in a storied life. Tortured as a Vietnam prisoner-of-war, the maverick politician fell short of the pinnacle of politics with two failed presidential runs. His absence from Washington in recent days has come at a politically inopportune time for a bill repealing and replacing Obamacare. This week, McCain broke ranks and called for discussions with Democrats and a full committee process to finally provide “Americans with access to quality and affordable health care.”
Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. pic.twitter.com/SO4XYgnyug — President Trump (@POTUS) July 20, 2017
.@SenJohnMcCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. pic.twitter.com/Ld2lQH1mMn — Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) July 20, 2017
McCain is a fighter and will continue to fight as he faces brain cancer. You have the thoughts and prayers of NC with you, Senator. pic.twitter.com/2SLYf4q1qL — Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) July 20, 2017
John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017
aaronwright97 on July 20th, 2017 at 01:17 UTC »
My dad has glioblastoma. First tumor was removed completely and nothing has grown back in 6 months. The second tumor could only be partially removed as it was too close to his speech center. So far with his radiation and chemo the second tumor has shrunk and the doctors are feeling pretty positive about it. I may not agree with all of McCain's politics but I hope he is able to beat this bitch of a cancer.
Edit: Thank you to everyone for your support and thoughtful comments.
narmerguy on July 20th, 2017 at 00:56 UTC »
Medical professional here. Really sad to hear he has GBM. Here's a quick run-down:
1) Occurs most often in old people, but can happen in younger people. Prognosis is worse in the elderly (>65), McCain is 81. Median survival with treatment is ~12 months in the latest studies (I earlier reported some data from a couple years ago that was lower). More on that below if you find that kind of stuff interesting.
2) We've got no real idea how to treat this well. Old people sometimes get less aggressive treatment, which perhaps contributes to their worse prognosis. Most common option is just to throw things at it: Surgery to remove the cancer, then followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. In the elderly the radiation/chemo is sometimes not done because the toxicity is high and the added benefit is less. There are new clinical trials being tested, nothing has been promising so far but sometimes if you have a specific mutation in your cancer you can get lucky.
3) Really rough disease, recurrence is extremely common and occurs within a year. Patients have seizures, headaches, nausea. As it progresses you'll get incontinence, increased falls, and eventually delirium.
My heart goes out to his family. :(Edit: There's been debate about the prognosis, I'm including this here from a comment I made:
GuyBelowMeDoesntLift on July 20th, 2017 at 00:13 UTC »
Same kind that got Ted Kennedy and Beau Biden. Hope he survives it but I don't like the odds :((