Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement from his personal office on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The announcement has sparked widespread concern and a wave of support from political figures, world leaders, and the public, as the 82-year-old battles a serious and complex health condition.
Biden, who served as the 46th president from 2021 to 2025, is currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, surrounded by family and in consultation with a specialized medical team. His diagnosis is particularly poignant given his long-standing public commitment to cancer research and advocacy, especially following the death of his son, Beau Biden, from brain cancer in 2015.
The Diagnosis Explained
According to reports, Biden’s recent diagnosis came after he began experiencing worsening urinary symptoms, prompting medical testing. During evaluation, doctors discovered a prostate nodule that warranted a biopsy. The results revealed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), signifying a high-grade, aggressive tumor that has already spread beyond the prostate.
Metastasis to the bones is considered a severe progression of prostate cancer, often associated with more complex treatment protocols and a guarded prognosis. However, medical experts say Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning certain therapies—like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)—could slow the disease’s growth and help manage symptoms.
The official statement emphasized that Biden and his family are working closely with oncologists to determine a treatment plan tailored to his condition. His team remains optimistic about the potential for control and stabilization of the disease, although it’s clear that this marks a serious chapter in the former president’s life.
Biden’s Health History
Biden’s health has been a topic of national conversation for years, particularly during his 2020 campaign and presidency. Medical records released in 2019 and 2021 described him as a “healthy, vigorous man,” though they noted a history of non-melanoma skin cancers and the removal of a precancerous polyp during a routine colonoscopy.
Critics frequently scrutinized Biden’s age and mental acuity during his term, especially in its final year. While he largely maintained a full public schedule, growing questions about stamina and cognitive health contributed to his decision not to seek re-election. That decision cleared the path for Vice President Kamala Harris to secure the 2024 Democratic nomination and ultimately win the presidency.
This new diagnosis adds a somber layer to Biden’s post-presidency, bringing renewed focus to the health struggles that often affect older adults—even those once at the pinnacle of global leadership.
What This Means Medically
A Gleason score of 9 is one of the most serious markers in prostate cancer pathology, indicating a high likelihood of rapid growth and metastasis. Combined with the cancer’s spread to the bones, Biden’s condition is categorized as advanced-stage.
Yet, there is a silver lining. Oncologists classify his cancer as “hormone-sensitive,” meaning it is still responsive to treatments that lower testosterone and other hormones that fuel tumor growth. These treatments, which may include injections, oral medications, or surgical intervention, aim to suppress the cancer’s advancement and reduce symptoms like pain and fatigue.
Doctors will also likely explore options such as:
- Radiation therapy for localized bone metastases
- Bone-strengthening agents like bisphosphonates
- Clinical trials involving advanced drug therapies
While this type of cancer is not curable at this stage, many patients live for years with the right treatment combination and regular monitoring. Biden’s medical team is expected to issue periodic updates, though the family has asked for privacy as they navigate the early stages of this diagnosis.
Family and Medical Team Response
According to Biden’s spokesperson, the former president remains in “good spirits” and is drawing strength from his wife Jill, his children, and grandchildren. The family has reportedly met with top oncologists and specialists in prostate cancer, many of whom are affiliated with institutions involved in Biden’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative.
The Biden family’s public familiarity with cancer battles—particularly Beau Biden’s high-profile fight against glioblastoma—has created a unique emotional context for this latest challenge. President Kamala Harris and other key administration officials have reached out with support, as have Barack Obama and other political allies.
As Biden’s treatment begins, he is expected to remain largely out of the public eye, focusing on his health and continuing to support cancer research through his namesake foundation.
