Biden Receives Serious Cancer Diagnosis
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his personal office announced Sunday. The 82-year-old former president is currently reviewing treatment options with his physicians and family members.
"Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms," Biden's office stated. "On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
The statement added that while this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, "the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management."
Biden's diagnosis comes less than five months after leaving office following his decision not to seek reelection. The discovery was made during a follow-up examination after a "small nodule" was found on his prostate during a routine physical last week, according to his spokesperson.
Medical Experts Weigh In
Medical experts explain that a Gleason score of 9, on a scale where higher numbers indicate more aggressive cancer, signifies a high-grade form of prostate cancer. Dr. Alan Tan, genitourinary section lead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who is not involved in Biden's treatment, explained: "Gleason nine is by definition aggressive, but you don't know how bad it is unless you know what the PET scan looks like."
However, Dr. Chris George, a prostate cancer specialist at Northwestern Medicine, noted that the hormone-sensitive nature of Biden's cancer suggests he may respond well to treatment, potentially enabling him to live for years as treatments keep the disease in check.
"Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis," - President Trum on Truth Social
Trump and Political Figures Offer Support
President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Biden during and after their political rivalry, set aside political differences to offer support to his predecessor.
"Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., echoed his father's sentiments on social media, agreeing with another post that called for setting politics aside while wishing Biden a speedy recovery.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support for her former boss on social media: "Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership."
"Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership." - Former Vice President Kamala Harris
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Throughout his political career, Biden has been a strong advocate for cancer research and treatment. Following the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015, Biden spearheaded the "Cancer Moonshot" initiative as vice president, which he later reignited during his presidency with the goal of halving cancer death rates within 25 years.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men after skin cancer, with the American Cancer Society estimating about 313,780 new cases to be diagnosed in 2025. While prostate cancer has a generally high five-year survival rate of about 98%, cancers with a Gleason score of 9-10 are considered high-grade or poorly differentiated, meaning they are more likely to grow and spread quickly.
When prostate cancer metastasizes to the bone, as in Biden's case, it often causes bone pain and increases the risk of fractures. Treatment options typically include androgen deprivation therapy (which lowers testosterone levels), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and newer targeted therapies.
Despite the serious diagnosis, prostate cancer experts emphasize that many men diagnosed with this disease—even in advanced stages—do not die from it. With effective treatment, particularly for hormone-sensitive cancers, patients can often maintain a good quality of life for years.
The former president is currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, with his family as they consider treatment options, according to a source familiar with the situation.
