Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Biden is 82.
Doctors are stunned that Biden’s prostate cancer was diagnosed following a digital rectal exam at his advanced age.
Doctors discovered a nodule on Biden’s prostate last week after he had difficulty urinating. A biopsy showed he had stage 4 prostate cancer with metastasis (spread) to the bone. Stage 4 prostate cancer, also known as metastatic prostate cancer, is the most advanced stage where cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
At Biden’s age, stage 4 prostate cancer is generally not curable.
Prior to his diagnosis, Biden was given a clean bill of health during a physical exam in 2024. He was declared “fit to serve”.
President Donald Trump reacted to Biden’s cancer diagnosis in a post on his Truth Social app.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump wrote. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Biden is pictured with former U.S. House Rep. for Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, who died of Pancreatic cancer in 2024 while still in office.
Early warning signs of prostate cancer are rare. The disease is usually diagnosed during a digital rectal exam (DRE) by a doctor.
When symptoms are present, they include frequent urination, painful urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, blood in the urine.
Prostate cancer is curable if found early. Medical advancements in recent years have helped to cure more severe cases like Biden’s.
In Biden’s case, the goal is to manage the disease, not cure it. The risks of aggressive treatment and potential side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits, doctors say.
Biden’s office said the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive. The primary treatment would be to block testosterone with a drug called Lupron, combined with Zytiga, or chemotherapy, doctors say.
