Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive, Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his office announced on May 18, 2025. The diagnosis followed a routine physical examination prompted by increasing urinary symptoms, which led to the discovery of a prostate nodule. On Friday, May 16, doctors confirmed the cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating one of the most severe and fast-growing forms of the disease.

Biden’s cancer is classified as hormone-sensitive, a factor that allows for more effective management through current medical therapies. He and his family are currently consulting with physicians to determine the best course of treatment. According to his medical team, treatment options may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation, with recent advances offering hope for improved outcomes even in advanced cases.

Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden expressed optimism about his treatment plan, which involves daily medication over a six-week period. “We’re in the process, and everyone involved is quite optimistic,” Biden stated during his first public remarks since the announcement. He also shared gratitude for the widespread support, posting on social media, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support”.

Political leaders across the spectrum, including President Donald Trump, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Barack Obama, have offered messages of sympathy and hope for Biden’s recovery. The diagnosis has reignited debate about Biden’s health during his presidency, with some critics alleging a cover-up of his physical and cognitive decline—claims that Biden and his representatives have denied.

Biden’s last prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was in 2014, and his office has clarified that there was no prior diagnosis of prostate cancer before this month. Medical experts note that while metastatic prostate cancer is incurable, it can often be managed for years, especially when hormone-sensitive. The American Cancer Society estimates that about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and while early-stage cases are highly treatable, the five-year survival rate drops significantly once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Biden’s diagnosis comes as he remains a prominent figure in cancer research advocacy, reflecting his longstanding commitment to cancer initiatives following the death of his son Beau Biden from brain cancer in 2015.