Former U.S. President Joseph Biden.
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form prostate cancer, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday. The announcement followed a recent medical evaluation prompted by increasing urinary symptoms.
The 82-year-old president underwent testing last week after physicians discovered a prostate nodule. On Friday, he received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, which has metastasized to the bone. The cancer is classified with a Gleason score of 9, also known as Grade Group 5 — the highest score on the Gleason scale, indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.
While the diagnosis is serious, the statement stressed that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which typically allows for a broader range of treatment options and better outcomes. Biden and his family are reportedly reviewing those options with his medical team.
“This represents a more aggressive form of the disease,” the statement read, “but the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management."
No further details have been released about the timeline for potential treatment or any changes to the president’s schedule.
This is the latest health challenge for Biden, who previously had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest in early 2023. Though no longer in office, his age and health have continued to draw public attention.
Medical experts note that advanced prostate cancer with bone metastasis typically requires a combination of hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or newer targeted treatments. The fact that Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive may improve his responsiveness to such therapies.
