Joe Biden Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer That Has Spread to Bones

President Joe Biden, 82, is facing one of the toughest fights of his life. His office confirmed this week that he has been diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones.

He began experiencing urinary issues recently and underwent testing in Philadelphia. Doctors there discovered a cancerous nodule on his prostate. Further scans revealed the cancer had metastasized, pushing the disease into a more serious stage.

An Unforgiving Diagnosis With Serious Implications

This isn’t just any prostate cancer. It’s aggressive. It’s fast-moving. And it has spread to Biden’s bones—a development that puts it into the advanced category.

Kelly Scully, a spokesperson for the former president, confirmed the cancer’s spread. The diagnosis comes with a Gleason score of 9, one of the highest possible, used by doctors to classify the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. A score this high signals a fast-growing cancer with a high chance of spreading further if not controlled quickly.

Statistically, about 60% of metastatic prostate cancer patients see their disease reach the bones. Once it’s there, it becomes harder to treat—but not untreatable.

In Biden’s case, there’s a key detail working in his favor.

It’s Hormone-Sensitive, and That Matters a Lot

Scully said that Biden’s cancer still responds to hormone therapy. That’s a small but crucial piece of good news.

Hormone-sensitive prostate cancers respond well to treatment that reduces testosterone levels in the body. Since testosterone fuels prostate cancer growth, cutting off that fuel source can slow or even stop the disease from progressing.

Here’s what the treatment path could look like:

• Hormone Therapy: Often the first line of defense. It can reduce or block hormones that cancer cells need to grow.

• Chemotherapy: Usually comes into play when hormone therapy stops working or when the cancer becomes too aggressive.

• Radiation Therapy: Used to target specific areas, especially if the cancer causes pain or is concentrated in bone regions.

• Combination Treatments: Doctors sometimes blend two or more treatments based on how the patient responds.

The fact that Biden’s medical team caught the cancer before it became hormone-resistant could make all the difference.

Symptoms Often Overlooked Until It’s Too Late

The tricky part with prostate cancer is that it doesn’t always show obvious symptoms early on. Biden reportedly began experiencing some urinary discomfort, which led him to seek medical attention.

According to the World Health Organization, early symptoms can include:

• Weak or broken urine flow

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night

• Blood in the urine

• Dribbling or difficulty starting and stopping

It’s important to note that these symptoms often resemble benign prostate enlargement, a common condition in older men. So, people tend to ignore the signs.

Later stages of the cancer, like in Biden’s case, bring new issues.

Persistent bone pain—especially in the hips, lower back, or thighs—is a strong warning sign. So is extreme fatigue or unintentional weight loss. These symptoms often show up once the cancer has already spread.

A Heavy Personal Weight: Cancer Has Haunted the Biden Family Before

Joe Biden is no stranger to cancer’s grip.

In 2015, his eldest son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer at age 46. The loss devastated the family and deeply shaped Biden’s views on cancer treatment and research.

During his presidency, Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot program—an initiative aimed at speeding up cancer research, improving care delivery, and increasing funding across the board. It was more than a policy push. It was personal.

And now, that personal battle has returned.

The timing of Biden’s diagnosis couldn’t be more delicate. With his upcoming book release and the 2024 political landscape already buzzing, conversations about his health and age have resurfaced. Especially after last year’s controversial interview leak, in which Special Counsel Robert Hur described him as “an elderly man with a poor memory.”

Public Support Pours In—Even From Political Rivals

As news of Biden’s condition made headlines, public figures quickly voiced support. Former President Donald Trump, who has sparred with Biden frequently, expressed sadness over the diagnosis. “I hope he finds strength in treatment and support,” he said in a brief comment.

Vice President Kamala Harris praised Biden’s resilience, calling him “a fighter.”

The Biden family has remained largely quiet since the announcement, though sources close to them say they’re currently weighing treatment options and have already spoken with leading oncologists in Philadelphia, New York, and Bethesda.

Treatment Outlook: What Comes Next for Biden?

Doctors treating Biden are expected to pursue a combined approach, beginning with hormone therapy to stabilize the cancer.

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that men diagnosed with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer who received a combination of hormone therapy and chemotherapy lived significantly longer than those who received hormone therapy alone.

Here’s a quick breakdown of typical treatment strategies based on disease progression:

And in Biden’s case, given his age and previous health conditions, managing side effects will be a key part of the strategy.

The Road Ahead Is Unclear, But Not Without Hope

Biden’s diagnosis is serious. No way around it. Cancer that has reached the bones tends to be more painful and more complex to manage.

But it’s not a death sentence.

With early hormone sensitivity, access to top-tier healthcare, and a team of specialists, Biden has a fighting chance. The fact that he’s still making limited public appearances—even in the middle of all this—speaks volumes about his willpower.

There’s still a long way to go. But if there’s one thing Biden has built his political life around, it’s endurance. Whether that will be enough this time, only time will tell.