Nationwide — Former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones, according to a statement from his personal office released Sunday. The diagnosis marks a serious health challenge for the former commander-in-chief, whose cancer carries a Gleason score of 9 — placing it in the most severe category of prostate cancers. Despite the aggressive nature of the disease, doctors note it is hormone-sensitive, leaving open treatment avenues that may help manage the illness effectively.
Reports indicate that Biden’s diagnosis followed recent evaluations after he experienced increased urinary symptoms. His medical team discovered a suspicious nodule on his prostate, prompting a biopsy that confirmed the presence of cancer. Now resting at home in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden is surrounded by family as they discuss potential treatment plans, including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation. Medical experts caution that each treatment option comes with trade-offs that could affect cognitive function, mood, and overall quality of life, making the decision a delicate one.
Leading cancer specialists not involved in Biden’s care have weighed in on the news. Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt of Orlando Health points out that prostate cancer is common among older men and often manageable when caught early. On the other hand, Dr. Benjamin Davies of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center stresses that a Gleason score of 9 represents a particularly aggressive form of the disease. While currently not curable at this stage, advancements in therapies have substantially improved survival and quality of life for many patients.
This development reopens the conversation around Biden’s health and age, topics that were often debated during his presidency and the 2024 campaign. Earlier this year, a physical exam at Walter Reed Medical Center deemed him “fit for duty” with no significant concerns. Yet, a recent book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson suggested that signs of cognitive decline were apparent well before Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. The authors claim aides even discussed the possibility that he might have needed a wheelchair had he served a second term.
Though largely out of the political spotlight, Biden has maintained a few public appearances, including a recent interview on ABC’s The View with his wife, Jill Biden. In the interview, he dismissed allegations of cognitive decline during his final year in office. Jill Biden also defended him vigorously, saying critics lacked understanding of the immense pressures he faced and how he continuously rose to meet them.
Cancer strikes a deeply personal chord for Biden, whose late son Beau Biden passed away from brain cancer in 2015. In Beau’s honor, Biden launched the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative aimed at accelerating cancer research and supporting families battling the disease. Responding to the news of Biden’s diagnosis, former President Donald Trump set aside political rivalry to offer a message of goodwill on Truth Social: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis… We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”