Source :NEWS18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 19, 2025, 09:11 IST
Joe Biden: The former U.S. president is exploring treatment options after a serious diagnosis; leaders across the political aisle extend support.
Former US President Joe Biden Faces Bone-Metastasized Prostate Cancer at 82: What You Should Know | AP Image
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, his personal office confirmed on Sunday. The 82-year-old is said to be consulting with his physicians on a treatment plan.
The diagnosis follows recent reports that Biden had been experiencing worsening urinary symptoms. After undergoing tests last week, doctors identified a prostate nodule and confirmed cancer characterized by a Gleason score of 9, indicative of the most aggressive grade of the disease.
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Despite the seriousness of the case, Biden’s doctors noted a crucial detail: the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which could make it more manageable with modern therapies, including hormone-blocking medications, chemotherapy, or targeted radiation.
Biden is currently resting at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, while his family and physicians evaluate treatment paths.
Health Concerns Resurface Post-Presidency
The diagnosis adds a sobering dimension to ongoing concerns about Biden’s health and age. Throughout his presidency, the oldest in U.S. history, Biden faced sustained scrutiny, especially following a shaky debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024.
A recent book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson revealed internal concerns among Biden’s aides, pointing to moments of confusion, fatigue, and potential cognitive decline in the lead-up to his withdrawal from the 2024 election.
Biden denied these claims in a recent appearance on The View, asserting that there was “nothing to sustain” such speculation. “The people who wrote those books weren’t in the White House with us,” added Jill Biden, defending her husband’s work ethic and stamina.
Bipartisan Support for Biden’s Recovery
The news of Biden’s diagnosis prompted an outpouring of support from political leaders across the aisle.
Former President Donald Trump, setting aside his usual criticisms, posted a statement of sympathy, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Vice President Kamala Harris, now leading the Democratic presidential campaign, also sent a heartfelt message, “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.”
Expert Insight: A Serious but Treatable Cancer
Leading oncologists and urologists not involved in Biden’s treatment offered insight into the diagnosis.
“A Gleason score of 9 means it’s one of the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer,” explained Dr. Benjamin Davies, professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “The fact that it has spread to the bone makes it incurable—but not untreatable. Recent advancements in therapy have improved both survival rates and quality of life.”
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist with Orlando Health, added that the treatment would likely involve a combination of hormone therapies, chemotherapy, and possibly bone-targeted drugs:
“Some of the treatments can affect memory, mood, and overall well-being, so doctors have to strike a careful balance to ensure effectiveness without compromising quality of life.”
Understanding Prostate Cancer: Stages and Treatment Options
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, particularly those over the age of 60. It begins in the prostate gland—a small, walnut-shaped organ that produces seminal fluid—and often grows slowly. However, some forms, like the one diagnosed in Biden, are highly aggressive and can spread to bones and lymph nodes.
The disease is categorized into four main stages:
Stage I: Cancer is confined to the prostate and grows slowly.
Stage II: Still localized but with more abnormal cells.
Stage III: The cancer has spread outside the prostate to nearby tissues.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as bones or lymph nodes—classified as metastatic, as in Biden’s case.
Treatment plans are tailored based on the cancer’s stage, grade, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment options include:
Hormone therapy, which reduces or blocks testosterone that fuels cancer growth.
Chemotherapy, particularly in advanced stages.
Radiation therapy, targeting specific tumor sites.
Surgical intervention, typically in early stages.
Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies, which are still evolving.
While Stage IV prostate cancer is not curable, many patients live for years with the disease under control, thanks to recent breakthroughs in treatment. Continued research and advancements in precision medicine offer hope for improved outcomes.
A Deeply Personal Fight
For Biden, this diagnosis hits close to home. His son Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46. The loss propelled Biden’s long-standing commitment to cancer research and advocacy.
In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed then-Vice President Biden to lead the Cancer Moonshot initiative. In 2022, Biden re-launched the effort with renewed urgency, aiming to cut cancer deaths by 50% in the next 25 years.
Former President Obama and Hillary Clinton both praised Biden’s lifelong commitment to the cause. “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family,” Obama wrote. “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer than Joe.”
As Biden prepares for another battle—this time a personal one—supporters, political peers, and medical experts alike are hopeful. His decades-long work to defeat cancer now comes full circle, as the former president faces the challenge head-on.
- First Published:
May 19, 2025, 09:11 IST
SOURCE : NEWS 18
