Former US president Joe Biden was diagnosed Friday with prostate cancer, his personal office announced Sunday, characterizing it as “a more aggressive form of the disease.”
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” his office said in a statement. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.” (Gleason scores grade the cancerous cells, with lower numbers representing more normal looking cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic; 10 is the highest grade.)
The 82-year-old Biden’s last publicly reported physical was on February 28, 2024, at which time Dr. Kevin O’Connor said “no new concerns” regarding Biden’s health were discovered. During that exam at Walter Reed National Military Center, Biden was prescribed medications for seasonal allergies, acid reflux, atrial fibrillation, and cholesterol level management; his weight remained steady and all blood levels were within the normal range.
Biden and his family “are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement continued. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.” He is currently at his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, CNN reports.
A representative for Biden did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair. This story is developing.
