Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his personal office released on May 18. The diagnosis, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicates that the cancer has metastasized to his bones.
Biden, 82, began experiencing urinary symptoms that led doctors to discover a “small nodule” on his prostate. Despite the severity of the diagnosis, his medical team noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which offers avenues for effective management.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement read. “The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Biden served as the 46th president of the United States from January 2021 to January 2025, earning distinction as the oldest individual to hold the office. News of his diagnosis has prompted an outpouring of support from political figures and citizens alike, wishing him strength and a swift recovery.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. Early detection and advances in treatment have significantly improved outcomes, even in aggressive cases. Hormone-sensitive cancers respond well to therapies that lower hormone levels or block their effects, potentially slowing the cancer’s growth and spread.
