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Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office confirmed in a statement on Sunday. The diagnosis was made on Friday after Biden experienced urinary symptoms, prompting a thorough medical evaluation.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said.
Cancers that have spread, or metastasized, are classified as Stage 4, the most advanced form. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of the 236,659 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2021 were detected before the cancer spread beyond the prostate. However, about 8% of cases were advanced at the time of diagnosis.
Biden’s cancer scored a nine out of 10 on the Gleason grading system, a critical measure used to assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Dr. Herbert Lepor, a urologist at NYU Langone, described the score as “very high risk,” but noted that many patients with metastatic prostate cancer can still live “five to 10 years and beyond” due to recent advances in treatment.
Dr. Chris George, the medical director of the cancer program for the Northwestern Health Network, added that while prostate cancer is typically incurable once it spreads to the bones, there are treatments available that can control the disease.
Biden, who served as the oldest U.S. president following his 2020 election, abruptly ended his bid for reelection last July, just weeks after a challenging debate against Republican Donald Trump. His health and cognitive abilities had been a focal point of public discussion throughout his presidency.
President Trump, 78, who succeeded Biden as the oldest U.S. president following his 2024 victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed sympathy for Biden and his family in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump wrote. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Biden has maintained a relatively low public profile since leaving office, though he has occasionally defended his legacy in interviews and speeches, including a 2022 speech reviving the Obama-era Cancer Moonshot initiative, which aims to reduce cancer death rates by 50% over the next 25 years.
Vice President Kamala Harris and other political figures from both parties have expressed their support for Biden. “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,” Harris said in a statement.
