Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer, Gleason Score Indicates Serious Condition

May 19, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with a severe form of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his office released on Sunday. Medical professionals have classified his condition as aggressive, with a Gleason score of 9 — a marker indicating a high-grade cancer likely to spread quickly.

The Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10, is used by doctors to assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. A score of 9 suggests the cancer cells are highly abnormal and more likely to grow and invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to distant parts of the body.

Biden’s office confirmed that the cancer has already shown signs of spreading, with metastasis reaching the bones, a development that typically signals an advanced stage of the disease.

Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. Early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes, but cases involving high Gleason scores often require more intensive intervention.

Medical experts anticipate Biden will undergo a combination of treatments, which may include hormone therapy, radiation, or chemotherapy, depending on how far the cancer has progressed.

The news of the diagnosis has drawn widespread concern, with many political figures and supporters expressing solidarity and well-wishes for the former president’s recovery.