In a sombre revelation, officials announced today that Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer, which has aggressively spread to his bones. The diagnosis was confirmed on 18 May 2025 after the former President underwent medical checks due to increasing urinary difficulties.
The 82 year old statesman was hospitalised last week for what was then termed as a mere “prostate nodule”, with doctors scheduling additional tests amidst little public concern. However, it has now emerged that the assessment uncovered a grade 5 prostate cancer with a distressing Gleason score of 9 that had metastasised to his bones.
In light of these findings, Biden, supported by his loved ones, is currently evaluating possible treatments.
A statement disclosed: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”, reports the Mirror.
This heart-wrenching news arrives just before the anniversary of Biden’s son Beau’s death, who sadly succumbed to brain cancer in 2015. This article further explores what a Gleason score of 9 entails, including its causes, symptoms and potential treatment paths.
The Gleason scoring system is a crucial tool utilised to determine the severity of prostate cancer. Scores vary from 6 to 10, with higher numbers signifying more aggressive forms of the disease.
A Gleason score of 9 falls into Grade Group 5, the highest risk category, indicating that the cancer cells are highly abnormal and likely to grow and spread rapidly.
A Gleason score of 9 is deemed high-risk and advanced, suggesting it may extend beyond the prostate. Treatment is typically more aggressive, often involving surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and occasionally chemotherapy.
The exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown, although several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition.
These include:
- age – the risk rises as you get older, and most cases are diagnosed in men over 50 years of age
- ethnic group – prostate cancer is more common in black men than in Asian men
- family history – having a brother or father who developed prostate cancer before age 60 seems to increase your risk of developing it; research also shows that having a close female relative who developed breast cancer may also increase your risk of developing prostate cancer
- obesity – recent research suggests there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer, and a balanced diet and regular exercise may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer
- diet – research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer, and there is some evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer
What are the symptoms?
Early detection of the disease is crucial, as the initial stages often do not present any noticeable symptoms.
These symptoms do not always indicate you have prostate cancer. Many men’s prostates enlarge as they age due to a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement.
Signs that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss.
What’s the next step?
Despite the grave nature of the diagnosis, Biden’s medical team has indicated that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which could pave the way for effective treatment options. Hormone therapy, often used in conjunction with other treatments such as radiation or surgery, can be successful in managing such cases.
Biden and his family are currently liaising with his healthcare team to determine the most suitable course of action. This latest diagnosis follows a previous health update in 2023, when a cancerous skin lesion was successfully removed without necessitating further treatment.
Depending on the type of prostate cancer one has, life may be impacted in various ways. Prostate cancer often deteriorates slowly, and it’s possible to live with it for years without experiencing symptoms.
During this period, treatment may not be necessary.
As the former president grapples with this challenging diagnosis, the nation watches on with bated breath, hoping for a favourable outcome.
