Former US president Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer
The former president was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 - which Cancer Research UK says means the disease is "likely to grow quickly".
Monday 19 May 2025 01:06, UK
Former US president Joe Biden has prostate cancer, his office has said.
Mr Biden, 82, who left the White House in January, was seen by doctors last week for urinary symptoms.
He was later diagnosed with prostate cancer, with the cancer cells having spread to his bones.
His office said in a statement: "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
"On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate , characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.
"The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
According to , a Gleason score of 9 means the cancerous cells "look very abnormal" and the disease is "likely to grow quickly".
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Dr Imran Ahmad, professor of urological oncology at the University of Glasgow, told Sky News on Sunday evening that prostate cancer is "very common" for men in their 80s.
"If you biopsy 10 men of Joe Biden's age, eight would have prostate cancer," he said. "But I would argue that maybe seven of those men would have low-risk prostate cancer that we could just watch.
"Whereas Joe Biden's is obviously a very aggressive form that - if he is otherwise fit - will be what he dies of."
Biden's cancer one of the most aggressive forms - but there is some hope
Joe Biden's prostate cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
Prostate cancers are rated with a Gleason score. This measures on a scale of one to 10 how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells. His score is nine.
It has been given a Grade Group of 5 - the highest. That means the cancer has poor differentiation from normal cells and will grow rapidly. It has already spread to his bones.
Metastasised cancer is harder to treat than cancer that stays in one place because it's spread around the body, making it harder for drugs to reach and destroy all the tumours.
But there is some hope from Biden's medical team. They say his cancer appears to be hormone sensitive.
When prostate cancers need hormones to grow, targeted therapy can deprive these tumours of these hormones, making treatment more effective.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. In the UK, it accounts for around a quarter of all male cancer cases.
In the US, it's also one of the most common, second only to skin cancer. It mostly affects men over the age of 50 and becomes more common with age.
A source familiar with Mr Biden and his family's thinking told Sky's US partner network NBC News that the former president is considering "multiple treatment options" - including hormone treatment for the cancer.
They added he is at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and that as of now, it is unclear where the former president will be treated.
In a statement on social media, former president Barack Obama said: "Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
"Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."
President also posted on Truth Social that he was "saddened" by the news, adding: "We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Mr Biden was the oldest person to ever serve as president, with concerns about his health raised regularly during his campaign for re-election last year.
After a poor debate against Mr Trump in June, he withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
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Ms Harris wrote on X: "We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
"Joe is a fighter - and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."
Hillary Clinton also posted on social media that she is "thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they've done so much to try to spare other families from".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: "I am very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer.
"All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment."
In February 2023, he had from his chest that was a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.