Topline
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, multiple outlets reported Sunday, days after reports circulated that he had a “small nodule” in his prostate.
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Key Facts
Biden has “a more aggressive form” of prostate cancer, but it appears to be “hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” a spokesperson said in a statement Sunday.
Biden, 82, received his diagnosis—which was “characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone”—on Friday and his family is reviewing treatment options, the statement said.
Last week, a spokesperson for Biden said he had been diagnosed with a “small nodule” in his prostate, which can be caused by inflammation and pose no serious risk, or can be cancerous, The New York Times reported.
This story is developing and will be updated.
What Does A Gleason Score Of 9 Mean?
Biden’s diagnosis being characterized by a Gleason score of 9 in Grade Group 5 means the cancer cells look “very abnormal” and the cancer is “most likely to grow and spread quickly,” according to the American Cancer Society.
Is Prostate Cancer Curable?
Prostate cancer is usually found early and grows slowly, according to the Mayo Clinic, and most people found with it are cured. However, the Mayo Clinic says prostate cancer that spreads is often more difficult to cure, and the American Cancer Society reports that about one in 44 men will die of prostate cancer.
How Rare Is Prostate Cancer?
The American Cancer Society reports that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and it’s more common in older men. The average age of diagnosis for men is 67, and the risk of getting prostate cancer is higher among African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry.
Further Reading
Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer (CNN)
What a Prostate Nodule Detection Like Biden’s Can Mean for a Man’s Health (New York Times)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/05/18/joe-biden-diagnosed-with-aggressive-form-of-prostate-cancer/