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By Adeola Adeosun and Peter Aitken
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Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone, according to a press release issued from his personal office on Sunday.
The formal diagnosis comes just days after a spokesperson for Biden, 82, said the former president was recently evaluated for a "small nodule" discovered on his prostate.
Newsweek has reached out a spokesperson for Biden via email on Sunday for comment.
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The Context
The health disclosure comes for Biden, who faced significant scrutiny over his health throughout his presidency and during his brief 2024 reelection campaign.
In 2023, Biden had a skin lesion removed that was found to be a basal cell carcinoma—a type of skin cancer.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the White House physician at the time, said in a statement: "As expected, the biopsy confirmed that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma. All cancerous tissue was successfully removed...No further treatment is required."
He added: "Basal cell carcinoma lesions do not tend to 'spread' or metastasize, as some more serious skin cancers such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma are known to do. They do, however, have the potential to increase in size, resulting in a more significant issue as well as increased challenges for surgical removal."
Speculation regarding Biden's health circulated widely last year before he dropped out of the presidential election race and was replaced by then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.
In February 2024, Biden's doctor declared him "fit to serve" after he underwent a physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Why It Matters
It is quite common for men over the age of 50 to experience prostate problems. Some of the most common health issues include benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and prostate cancer.
In 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 236,659 new cases of prostate cancer were reported in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prostate cancer was the most common of all cancers diagnosed in men that year, followed by lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum cancer.
What To Know
"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, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone," the statement from Biden's personal office reads. "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."
Prostate cancers are given a score called a Gleason score that measures, on a scale of 1 to 10, how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells. Biden's office said his score was 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.
When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it often spreads to the bones. Metastasized cancer is much harder to treat than localized cancer because it can be hard for drugs to reach all the tumors and completely root out the disease.
However, when prostate cancers need hormones to grow, as in Biden's case, they can be susceptible to treatment that deprives the tumors of hormones.
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What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis. We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time. 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. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X: "I'm sorry to see this news. Cancer is truly awful. My Dad passed away in 2021 with cancer. Prays for Joe Biden and his family."
Former Democratic National Commitee (DNC) chair Jaime Harrison on X: "Keeping my friend and my President @JoeBiden in my prayers! May God keep and heal you Mr. President!"
Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, who is also the vice chair of the DNC, wrote on X: "President @JoeBiden @drmattkenyatta and I are keeping you and the Biden family close in our hearts during this deeply scary time. We're praying for strength, healing, and peace."
Journalist Piers Morgan wrote on X: "I'm going to block anyone I see - and there's already a lot of this vile crap flying around - mocking, celebrating, or playing partisan politics with Joe Biden's health news. The man has served his country for 50yrs and is fighting for his life. Show some bloody respect."
What Happens Next
The former president and his family are reviewing treatment options by his physicians.
Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer typically involves hormone therapy to suppress testosterone, which feeds the cancer's growth. Additional options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy for bone metastases, and newer targeted treatments.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 5/18/25, 6:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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