Former President Joe Biden is facing a serious health challenge after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement released by his personal office.
The 82-year-old former commander-in-chief received the diagnosis last Friday following medical evaluations prompted by worsening urinary symptoms. Doctors discovered a prostate nodule that led to further testing, revealing a high-grade malignancy with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5).
According to CNN, the discovery came after Biden reported escalating urinary issues, leading to the identification of the prostate nodule and subsequent testing.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement noted, offering a cautiously optimistic outlook despite the severity of the diagnosis.
Medical experts classify a Gleason score of 9 among the most concerning grades for prostate cancer, indicating a tumor likely to grow and spread rapidly. Sky News reports that the presence of bone metastases further elevates the concern about Biden’s condition.
Per the Mayo Clinic, “The Gleason score and grade group are numbers that tell your healthcare team whether your prostate cancer is growing slowly or quickly.” Biden’s score of 9 places his cancer in “Grade Group 5,” suggesting it is likely to grow quickly.
The former president and his family are currently consulting with his medical team to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy. Biden, who completed his term in January when Donald Trump returned to office, has not yet made any public statements regarding his condition.
Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting men, particularly in older age groups. Treatment approaches vary widely depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the disease.