Washington: Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement from his office released Sunday. The diagnosis came following urinary symptoms he began experiencing recently. Biden and his family are currently exploring treatment options in consultation with medical specialists.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office stated.
Cancers that have spread beyond the original site, known as metastatic cancers, are classified as Stage 4—the most advanced stage. Prostate cancer is commonly detected at earlier stages, making Biden’s condition particularly serious.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that of the 236,659 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2021, around 70% were detected before the disease had spread. In contrast, only about 8% of new cases involved late-stage, metastatic cancer.
Biden’s health had been a matter of public discussion throughout his 2021–2025 presidency. His decision to withdraw from the 2024 reelection race came in July, shortly after a widely criticized debate performance against Republican Donald Trump, which stirred anxiety among Democrats.
In a rare moment of bipartisan civility, President Trump expressed his condolences via Truth Social.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Biden’s cancer was given a nine out of 10 on the Gleason score, a grading system that helps assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.
Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urologist at NYU Langone, remarked that a Gleason score of nine indicates “very high risk,” but added, “many men can live five to 10 years and beyond” even with cancer that has metastasized.
“Over the last decade, there have been many advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer,” he said.
Dr. Chris George, medical director of the cancer program for the Northwestern Health Network, explained that while prostate cancer is no longer considered curable once it spreads to the bones, there are medical therapies that can effectively control its progression.
Biden, Trump Hold Records as Oldest U.S. Presidents
Biden made history in 2020 as the oldest person to be elected U.S. president. Trump, now 78, surpassed that milestone by defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election.
Following Biden’s exit from the race, some Democratic leaders have admitted that nominating him for 2024 may have been a misjudgment, citing voter unease over his age. Prior to the debate, polls from Reuters/Ipsos consistently showed that a majority of Americans—including many Democrats—believed Biden was too old for a second term.
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“It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier,” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” just hours before Biden’s diagnosis was made public.
Since leaving office, Biden has kept a relatively low profile, appearing occasionally in public. In April, he delivered a speech defending the Social Security Administration amid Trump’s proposed cuts. He has also spoken out against portrayals in two recently published books that suggest he experienced cognitive decline during his final year in office.
“They are wrong,” Biden said earlier this month on ABC’s “The View”, directly addressing the authors of the books.
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News of Biden’s diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support from across the political spectrum. Vice President Kamala Harris offered words of encouragement, stating,
“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.”
Biden’s personal history with cancer includes the 2015 loss of his son, Beau Biden, to brain cancer. In 2022, he relaunched the Obama-era Cancer Moonshot initiative, setting an ambitious goal to reduce the cancer death rate by at least 50% within 25 years.
