Former President Joe Biden Undergoes Radiation and Hormone Therapy for Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Former President Joe Biden, 82, is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Diagnosed earlier this year, Biden's cancer had spread to his bones, prompting his team to announce the disease's progression in May. According to his office, Biden's cancer was graded as a Gleason 9, one of the most aggressive types of prostate cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biden's treatment plan involves a combination of radiation therapy and hormone treatment, which is a common approach for prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate.
  • His cancer was graded as a Gleason 9, indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.
  • Biden's age of 82 is considered a risk factor for prostate cancer, but outcomes can vary depending on when the disease is detected and how advanced it is.
  • Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with over 200,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year (According to the American Cancer Society).
  • The Cleveland Clinic notes that when prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate, treatment often involves a combination of radiation, hormone therapy, and medications to slow its growth.
  • Biden had previously undergone a procedure to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead in September.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime (American Cancer Society, 2025).
  • Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2025).
  • The Gleason score ranges from 6 to 10, with higher scores indicating faster-growing cancers.
  • In 2020, an estimated 191,930 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the United States (SEER data).
  • Biden's treatment is part of a comprehensive regimen that may include other therapies to slow the growth of his cancer.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, Oct. 11, 2025
  • Kelly Scully, spokesperson for President Biden, citing Biden's office
  • The Cleveland Clinic
  • American Cancer Society (2025 data)