Medical Experts Surprised by Joe Biden’s Late-Stage Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer, according to a statement released by his representatives on Sunday, May 18. The 82-year-old was recently evaluated for urinary issues, which led doctors to discover a new prostate nodule. Medical assessments confirmed the presence of cancer with a Gleason score of 9—placing it in the highest risk category—and metastasis to the bone.
The Gleason score system ranks prostate cancer severity based on how abnormal the cancer cells appear. Scores range from 2 to 10, with Grade Group 5 being the most aggressive. A score of 9 indicates a rapidly growing and potentially dangerous form of the disease.
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, physicians noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive. This means it can be managed with treatments that lower or block certain hormones to slow the cancer’s progression.
Still, some healthcare experts expressed concern over the timing and suddenness of the announcement. Dr. Howard Forman, a professor of radiology and public health at Yale University, found it unusual that such an advanced cancer had not been identified earlier.
“Gleason grade 9 would have shown elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels for some time,” Forman posted online. “It’s surprising this wasn’t detected during earlier screenings.”
Similarly, physician-scientist Dr. Steven Quay wrote in a health commentary that metastatic prostate cancer typically does not develop suddenly. “It usually progresses over years,” he explained. However, he acknowledged that in rare cases—especially in older individuals—the disease can advance rapidly.
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men and is often detected through routine PSA blood tests or urinary symptom screenings. Common symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping, weak urine flow, or the presence of blood in urine or semen. But many men may not notice symptoms until the cancer reaches a more serious stage.
Biden has been open about his medical history throughout his political career. In previous years, he underwent procedures to remove a potentially pre-cancerous colon polyp and a small skin cancer from his chest. His son Beau Biden’s tragic death from a brain tumor in 2015 inspired the elder Biden to champion cancer research and awareness.
Though he originally planned to seek a second term, Biden stepped back from the 2024 race in its final stages, passing the candidacy to Kamala Harris. His decision was largely attributed to health considerations