Summary
Former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed in May 2025 with an aggressive form of prostate cancer characterized by a high Gleason score of 9 and bone metastases, classifying it as Stage 4 disease. The diagnosis followed the emergence of urinary symptoms and a routine physical exam that identified a suspicious prostate nodule, prompting further testing. Although the cancer is advanced and generally considered incurable at this stage, it is hormone-sensitive, offering potential for effective management through hormone therapy and other treatments currently under consideration by Biden and his medical team.
Biden’s diagnosis attracted widespread attention given his status as the oldest-serving U.S. president and a prominent public figure who had completed his term just months prior, in January 2025. The news elicited an outpouring of bipartisan support from political leaders and the public, temporarily bridging partisan divides amid ongoing national polarization. Media coverage has focused on both the medical implications of the diagnosis and the potential impact on Biden’s public activities going forward.
Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States, with metastatic disease posing significant treatment challenges despite advances in hormonal and chemotherapy therapies that can extend survival and quality of life. Biden’s case highlights the importance of early detection, routine screening, and the evolving landscape of prostate cancer management, especially in older patients.
The announcement has also raised important ethical and privacy considerations regarding the disclosure of sensitive health information for high-profile individuals. Biden’s team has sought to balance transparency with respect for personal privacy, while media coverage underscores the need for responsible reporting to avoid sensationalism and ensure accurate public understanding.
Background
In May 2025, former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer following the emergence of urinary symptoms that prompted medical evaluation. At 82 years old, Biden had been found to have a small prostate nodule during a routine physical exam the previous week, which led to further testing and the subsequent diagnosis. The cancer was characterized by a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade tumor, and had metastasized to the bone, categorizing it as Stage 4 prostate cancer. Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, the cancer was reported to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for potential effective management with treatment options currently under consideration by Biden and his medical team.
Throughout his presidency, Biden’s health had been a topic of public discussion, with his 2024 annual physical exam reportedly showing no significant health issues. His diagnosis came shortly after he left office in January 2025 as the oldest-serving president in American history. The announcement of Biden’s condition garnered widespread attention and elicited supportive messages from across the political spectrum, including from his predecessor Donald Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting a momentary pause in the intense partisan divisions in Washington.
Prostate cancer remains a significant health issue for men, with the CDC reporting over 33,000 deaths in 2022 alone. While the overall survival rate is high for localized cases, it drops substantially once the cancer spreads, particularly to the bones, where it becomes incurable though manageable for several years. Biden’s case highlights the challenges posed by advanced prostate cancer but also reflects the advances in treatment that can extend quality of life for patients with metastatic disease.
Diagnosis
During a routine physical exam, a small nodule was detected on Biden’s prostate, which prompted further testing and biopsy. The diagnosis revealed a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade and aggressive cancer likely to grow and spread quickly. The Gleason scoring system ranges from 6 to 10, with scores of 9 and 10 representing the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Biden’s cancer was classified as Stage 4 due to metastasis to the bone, although it had not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Despite the severity of the diagnosis, the cancer appeared to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for more effective management options such as hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy. Biden and his family have been actively reviewing treatment plans with his medical team.
Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among U.S. men and is the most common cancer aside from non-melanoma skin cancer. The identification of a Gleason score of 9 underscores the importance of prompt and targeted treatment to control the disease’s progression and manage symptoms effectively.
Treatment
Following the diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 and bone metastases, Biden is currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team and family. Given that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, hormone therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), is considered a primary treatment approach. This therapy reduces levels of male hormones that fuel cancer growth and can effectively slow disease progression and manage symptoms, even in advanced stages where the cancer has spread to the bones.
Additional treatment options under consideration may include radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy or other medications designed to slow disease advancement and alleviate symptoms. Surgery is generally less favored in older patients with advanced cancer but may be used in earlier stages.
Experts emphasize that while bone metastases indicate a serious and incurable stage of prostate cancer, newer hormonal and chemotherapy treatments have significantly improved patient outcomes and extended longevity. The choice of treatment will depend on factors such as the cancer’s aggressiveness, spread, and Biden’s overall health and age. It is expected that a definitive treatment plan will be determined in the coming weeks.
This case also highlights the importance of routine screenings and early detection, particularly for men over 50, as high-grade prostate cancer requires lifelong management to maintain quality of life.
Prognosis
Biden’s prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 and bone metastases, classifies it as Stage 4 and generally considered incurable once it reaches this extent. Despite the severity, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management through available treatment options. The Gleason score, ranging from 6 to 10, evaluates aggressiveness by examining tumor cells, with a score of 9 indicating a highly aggressive form necessitating careful treatment selection.
Treatment typically depends on factors such as the cancer’s growth rate, spread, and the patient’s overall health and age. Common therapies include hormone therapy to reduce male hormones that promote cancer growth, radiation therapy to target and kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy or medications to slow disease progression and manage symptoms. At 82 years old, Biden and his family are currently reviewing these treatment options with his physicians. Public figures and political leaders have expressed their support and well wishes for his recovery, highlighting the challenges of managing such a serious diagnosis.
Impact on Public Role and Activities
The diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer with bone involvement has had a significant impact on Biden’s public role and activities. Although Biden completed his first term as president and left office in January, his health condition continues to influence his engagements and commitments. Given that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, it allows for effective management, which may enable Biden to maintain a degree of public activity while undergoing treatment.
Biden and his family are actively reviewing treatment options, including hormone therapy or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which reduces levels of male hormones that promote cancer growth. This form of therapy can slow disease progression and manage symptoms, even when cancer has metastasized to the bones, potentially allowing Biden to continue some public functions during treatment.
Recent advancements in hormonal and chemotherapy therapies have shown promising results, extending the longevity of patients with aggressive prostate cancer. These developments offer hope that Biden may sustain his public presence with appropriate medical management, although the exact treatment path and its impact on his activities remain under evaluation and could take weeks to determine.
Public and Media Response
Following the announcement of Biden’s diagnosis, there was a significant outpouring of support from across the political spectrum and media outlets. The news, first reported by Wall Street Journal reporter Ken Thomas, highlighted the seriousness of the condition while noting the hormone-sensitive nature of the cancer, allowing for effective management.
Prominent figures from various political backgrounds expressed their sympathies. Notably, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican known for her criticism of Biden, publicly offered her condolences and shared a personal connection to the disease, noting that her own father had died from cancer in 2021. This bipartisan show of support underscored the universal empathy surrounding serious health challenges faced by public figures.
Media coverage detailed the implications of the diagnosis and possible treatment options. Outlets such as ABC News provided breakdowns of what the diagnosis means medically and discussed potential treatment paths, referencing the significance of the Gleason score and the hormone-sensitive nature of Biden’s prostate cancer.
Privacy and Ethical Considerations
The announcement of Biden’s aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis has raised significant privacy and ethical questions, particularly given his status as a public figure and former head of state. While transparency about a leader’s health can be important for public trust, it also intersects with the individual’s right to medical privacy and the family’s wishes.
Biden’s office has been careful to manage information about the diagnosis and treatment options, emphasizing that he and his family are actively involved in reviewing possible courses of action with his physicians. This measured disclosure reflects an effort to balance the public’s right to know with respect for Biden’s personal health privacy.
Media coverage has played a crucial role in informing the public but raises ethical concerns about potential sensationalism or intrusion. Reporters such as Ken Thomas from the Wall Street Journal were among the first to report the news, prompting a surge of public attention. The ethical imperative for journalists covering such sensitive health information involves ensuring accuracy, avoiding speculation, and respecting the dignity of the individual.
Public reactions to Biden’s diagnosis have largely been supportive, with political figures across the spectrum expressing well-wishes. These responses highlight the delicate nature of political discourse surrounding health issues and the importance of maintaining a respectful tone that prioritizes humanity over partisanship.
Furthermore, experts have noted that prostate cancer prognosis and treatment vary widely depending on factors like cancer grade and spread. Disclosing detailed medical information could lead to misunderstanding or unwarranted alarm among the public, underscoring the need for responsible communication.
The content is provided by Blake Sterling, Fact-Nest
