Former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18.
The diagnosis came after Biden sought medical attention last week due to worsening urinary symptoms. Doctors discovered a prostate nodule, and further testing confirmed cancer characterized by a high Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a more serious and fast-growing form of the disease. The cancer has reportedly spread to the bone.
Despite the aggressive nature of the diagnosis, the statement noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which opens the door to more effective treatment options. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement added.
The Wall Street Journal’s Ken Thomas was the first to report the news.
According to the American Cancer Society, a Grade Group 5 prostate cancer may or may not have spread beyond the prostate itself, but there’s no indication it has reached nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.
A spokesperson previously addressed concerns about Biden’s health on May 13, saying that a routine physical had revealed the prostate nodule and further evaluation was underway.
President Biden’s health has been a topic of public interest for several years. In February 2024, his White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, reported that Biden showed no signs of concern during his annual physical and was “fit for duty,” with no need for medical exemptions or accommodations.
A year earlier, in February 2023, O’Connor described Biden as a “healthy” and “vigorous 80-year-old,” using similar language during his 2021 checkup following a routine colonoscopy.
In 2023, Biden also underwent a biopsy on a small lesion found on his chest, which was later confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. O’Connor noted at the time that all cancerous tissue had been successfully removed.
As the former president and his medical team weigh treatment options, no additional updates have been shared regarding the next steps in his care.
