Joe Biden’s Aggressive Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Explained: How a Gleason Score of 9 Signals a High-Risk Condition
May 19, 2025 - Washington, D.C. — Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office confirmed Sunday. The announcement revealed a Gleason score of 9, one of the most severe indicators of prostate cancer progression. His medical team also reported metastasis to the bones, marking a critical stage in the disease.
The cancer was discovered following the detection of a nodule during a routine physical exam. Further evaluation confirmed the seriousness of the condition. Biden, who previously had a cancerous skin lesion removed in 2023 and a history of non-melanoma skin cancers, now faces one of his most difficult health battles.
Prostate Cancer: A Common but Dangerous Disease
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over 313,000 new cases are expected in 2025, representing more than 15% of all new cancer diagnoses among men. About 35,770 deaths are projected this year from prostate cancer alone.
Despite its prevalence, prostate cancer often grows slowly. The five-year survival rate is approximately 98%, particularly when caught early. However, once it spreads beyond the prostate, outcomes are less certain and treatment becomes more complex.
Roughly 12.9% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. The median age of diagnosis is 68, while the median age of death is 79. Although incidence rates have slightly increased by 1.8% annually from 2013 to 2022, mortality rates have decreased by 0.6% per year over the past decade.
What Does a Gleason Score of 9 Mean?
The Gleason score is used to assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer by examining biopsy samples under a microscope. Scores range from 6 to 10, with higher scores indicating more aggressive disease.
A score of 9 reflects cells that appear highly abnormal and are expected to grow and spread quickly. This places Biden in Grade Group 5—the highest risk category—associated with a greater likelihood of metastasis and a more complex prognosis. Despite this, hormone sensitivity in many advanced prostate cancers allows for viable treatment strategies.
Possible Treatment Options
Although Biden’s treatment plan hasn’t been made public, experts suggest hormone therapy (also known as androgen deprivation therapy or ADT) is likely. This treatment reduces testosterone levels, which can slow the growth of prostate cancer cells, even after the disease has spread to the bones.
Other therapies may include targeted radiation or chemotherapy, depending on his overall health and response to hormone treatment. Surgery is generally not a feasible option once the cancer has metastasized.
Monitoring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels will also be critical. PSA levels help track disease progression and the effectiveness of treatments over time.
A Wake-Up Call for Early Detection
Following Biden’s diagnosis, the American Cancer Society released a statement emphasizing the importance of early screening. “This news is a reminder about the tragic impact of prostate cancer in the U.S.,” the statement read. “We can and must do more to prevent late-stage diagnosis and death from prostate cancer.”
The organization highlighted a 5% annual increase in advanced-stage prostate cancer cases, underscoring the urgency for increased awareness and proactive health monitoring, especially for men over 50 and those with a family history of cancer.
Joe Biden’s diagnosis with a Gleason score of 9 and bone metastases sheds light on the silent danger prostate cancer can pose when left undetected. While the prognosis is serious, advancements in hormone-based therapies and early monitoring tools offer hope—not only for Biden, but for the millions of men facing similar battles.