Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer
In a somber announcement on Sunday, it was revealed that former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones.
The revelation comes just a week after medical evaluations flagged a “small nodule” on his prostate that warranted closer examination. Following further testing, Biden received a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer, marked by a Gleason score of 9 — the highest level on the scale, indicating a fast-growing and potentially life-threatening form of the disease.
“Last week, President Biden underwent evaluation after experiencing a worsening of urinary symptoms,” the statement reads. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), with evidence of bone metastasis.”
The Gleason scoring system is used to assess the severity of prostate cancer by comparing cancerous cells to normal prostate tissue. A score of 9 suggests a highly aggressive cancer with a serious prognosis.
According to Biden’s team, his family is currently exploring all available treatment options in consultation with his medical team.
Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive, Yet Manageable, Prostate Cancer
Former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office revealed on Sunday. Despite the serious nature of the diagnosis, officials note the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which offers promising treatment possibilities.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management,” his office stated.
The news was met with concern from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump expressed their sympathies, with Trump posting on Truth Social: “We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Biden’s cancer was first flagged last weekend during a routine physical exam when a “small nodule” was discovered on his prostate, according to his staff. Prostate issues are common among older men, with the American Cancer Society reporting that over half of prostate cancer cases occur in men aged 65 and older.
A nodule, which can be a benign lump or a sign of something more serious like cancer, prompted further testing. The diagnosis revealed a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), placing Biden’s cancer among the most aggressive types.
The Gleason score is a measure of how abnormal the cancer cells look compared to healthy tissue. A score of 9 indicates highly aggressive cancer with a serious prognosis, especially since it has already metastasized to the bones.
Biden’s family is actively discussing treatment options, with hormone therapy considered a key approach. Hormone-sensitive prostate cancers often respond well to therapies that reduce testosterone, a hormone that can fuel the cancer’s growth.
Vice President Kamala Harris also responded to the diagnosis with compassion. “Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis,” she said. “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers. Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his leadership. We remain hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Biden, who made history as the oldest person elected president and left office as the oldest sitting president, has faced ongoing scrutiny over his health and stamina. Concerns about his age and fitness were factors in his decision not to run for a second term in 2024, with the reins passing to 60-year-old Vice President Harris.
In fact, some Democratic leaders have since openly questioned Biden’s decision to seek reelection, suggesting that aides may have misled the public and party insiders about his true condition.
Throughout his career, cancer has been a deeply personal issue for Biden. He launched the Cancer Moonshot initiative in 2022, aimed at cutting cancer death rates in half by 2047 — a mission fueled by the loss of his son Beau to aggressive brain cancer in 2015. Beau’s cancer was linked to exposure to toxic military burn pits during his service in Iraq.
Biden himself has undergone multiple cancer-related procedures, including Mohs surgery for skin cancer and the removal of a malignant tumor from his chest in early 2023. His health was deemed “fit to serve” as recently as February 2024 after a medical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Despite recent health challenges, Biden began reemerging in the media spotlight earlier this month, co-hosting an interview with his wife Jill on The View and participating in a pre-recorded BBC interview commemorating Victory Day.
However, a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson, titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, paints a much darker picture of the final months of Biden’s presidency. The book alleges a concerted effort by aides to hide his cognitive and physical decline, with some private discussions even considering how to conceal the possibility of Biden needing a wheelchair if reelected.
Observers and critics noted Biden’s unsteady gait and frequent trips near the end of his term, fueling speculation and concern over his health and capacity to lead.
As Biden and his family confront this latest health challenge, the nation watches closely, hopeful for his strength and recovery.
On June 1, 2023, Biden stumbled and collapsed while on stage at a commencement speech at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. He was helped back to his feet by a couple members of his Secret Service detail.
Biden’s severe health decline and spinal problems are reflected in the discussions around his wheelchair use, as is the lengths his White House team went to in order to hide it during a difficult reelection.
