Biden battles with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced form of prostate cancer, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

The cancer, initially discovered during an examination prompted by worsening urinary symptoms, has metastasized to his bones.

The diagnosis came after a prostate nodule was identified last week.

His doctors classified the cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating the most severe and fast-spreading form of the disease.

The statement added that although the cancer is aggressive, it is hormone-sensitive, which opens the door to effective treatment options.

Biden, who is 82, and his family are currently consulting with physicians to explore the best course of treatment.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, Biden acknowledged the diagnosis and thanked the public for their support, writing,

“Cancer touches us all,” and adding that he and his wife, former First Lady Jill Biden, “have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”

News of Biden’s condition follows an earlier announcement from his spokesperson about a “small nodule” found during a recent medical evaluation.

Experts in the field have weighed in on the seriousness of the diagnosis.

Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon at Orlando Health and professor at the University of Central Florida, noted that prostate cancer is common among older men.

“Most men as they age will have some cancer cells,” he said, though not all are aggressive.

Dr. Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, emphasized the severity of Biden’s diagnosis.

“A Gleason score of 9 means it’s the most aggressive form of prostate cancer,” he explained.

While neither expert is involved in Biden’s treatment, they agreed that this type of cancer is serious, especially given its spread to the bones.

Biden is currently staying at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and CNN has reached out for further details on where he is receiving treatment.

Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, questions about Biden’s health and age loomed large, especially after his uneven performance in a June debate against Donald Trump.

Earlier that year, during a routine physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, reported “no new concerns” and declared him “fit for duty.”

However, a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson suggests signs of decline were evident to insiders even before the debate.

Although aides allegedly downplayed or ignored them.

The book claims Biden sometimes failed to recognize familiar figures, including actor George Clooney at a June fundraiser.

It also claimed that staff discussed whether he might need a wheelchair during a potential second term.

Since leaving the White House, Biden has maintained a lower public profile but has begun to reappear in media, including a joint interview with Jill Biden on The View.

In that appearance, he denied experiencing cognitive decline, calling such claims unfounded.

Jill Biden defended her husband’s work ethic, stating:

“He’d get up, put in a full day, and at night, while I was reading, he was still on the phone and reading briefings.”

While President Trump has frequently criticized Biden, especially around his fitness for office, he struck a conciliatory tone following the cancer diagnosis.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, now leading the Democratic ticket following Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, also sent her well-wishes.

“Joe is a fighter,” Harris wrote on X. “Doug and I are keeping the Bidens in our hearts and prayers.

“We’re hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”

Although the cancer is considered incurable due to its spread to the bone, medical experts say there are promising treatment developments.

Dr. Davies noted that recent advances in hormone and chemotherapy treatments have significantly extended the lives of patients with advanced prostate cancer.

However, he cautioned that the cancer remains very serious.

Brahmbhatt added that treatment decisions must consider the potential impact on memory, mood, and overall quality of life, especially in elderly patients.

“You don’t want to be overly aggressive,” he said.

Cancer has long been a personal and public issue for Biden.

His son Beau Biden, a former Delaware attorney general and Iraq War veteran, died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

In 2016, then-President Barack Obama appointed Biden to lead a White House task force aimed at fighting cancer.

Biden, acknowledging the challenges ahead, expressed optimism about medical breakthroughs.

In 2022, President Biden relaunched the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, pledging to reduce cancer deaths by at least 50% over the next 25 years.

Speaking in August of that year, he said, “We’re mobilizing the whole country effort to cut American cancer deaths in half … I’m confident in our capacity to do that.”

Several prominent political figures offered support.

Hillary Clinton wrote on X, “Wishing you a speedy, full recovery,” while praising the Bidens’ dedication to the cancer fight.

Barack Obama also shared his thoughts: “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer than Joe,” he posted.

“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”

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