Joe Biden's team confirmed he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, discovered after a routine physical. The diagnosis came with a Gleason score of 9—an alarming signal.
A Gleason score measures how abnormal prostate cancer cells appear under a microscope. The higher the score, the more aggressive and likely the cancer is to spread.
A Gleason score of 9 signals fast-growing, aggressive cancer. It falls under Grade Group 5, the highest risk level for prostate cancer according to the NIH.
Biden’s cancer has already metastasized to the bones, making it more difficult to treat. Surgery is not typically viable once the disease spreads beyond the prostate.
Treatment may include hormone therapy to reduce testosterone, radiation to target spread areas, and ongoing monitoring of PSA levels for cancer activity.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. An estimated 313,780 new cases and over 35,000 deaths are expected this year in the U.S. alone.
Biden has battled cancer before, including skin cancers and a chest lesion removed in 2023. This latest diagnosis, however, is the most serious to date.
Leaders from both sides of the aisle expressed support. The news underscores a growing concern over advanced cancer diagnoses in older men.
The American Cancer Society emphasizes early screening. Late-stage prostate cancer is harder to treat. Early detection remains a key tool in saving lives.