U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy's brain surgery was successful and "accomplished our goals," his doctors at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina said Monday.

Dr. Allan Friedman, who performed the operation, said Kennedy was awake during the 3½-hour procedure and should experience no permanent neurological effects from the surgery.

The 76-year-old senator was quoted by a family spokeswoman as saying to his wife, Vicki Kennedy, "I feel like a million bucks. I think I'll do that again tomorrow."

The politician was diagnosed with a brain tumour last month. Kennedy said in a release issued before his operation that he expected to remain at the hospital for about a week.

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy is surrounded by family members in a room at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in May. (Stephan Savoia/Associated Press)

He is scheduled to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

"I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge," Kennedy said in the release.

"I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness."

The last son of one of the United States' most famous political families was diagnosed with a malignant glioma in his left parietal lobe after suffering a seizure at his home in May. Malignant gliomas are diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year.

Experts said the cancerous brain tumour will almost certainly be fatal. Median survival for patients with moderately severe tumours is three to five years, and less than a year for those with the most severe type.

The news has prompted support and sympathy from many on Capitol Hill, where the Massachusetts Democrat has served since 1962.

Regarding his plans following treatment, Kennedy said, "I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president."

Kennedy has already endorsed Obama, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

With files from the Associated Press