Former US President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones. Biden's office revealed the news after he experienced urinary issues, and the cancer was found to have a Gleason score of nine out of ten, indicating a highly aggressive form. The cancer is also hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. This diagnosis has raised questions about the aggressiveness of prostate cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Key Takeaways:

• Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with one in six men in Australia being diagnosed with it by the age of 85.
• A Gleason score of 9 out of 10 indicates a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer that will likely grow quickly.
• A Gleason score of 6 or less is considered low risk, while a score of 8-10 indicates highly aggressive cancer.
• Hormone-sensitive prostate cancers need male sex hormones (androgens) to grow, and hormone therapies can slow down or kill these cancers.
• Androgen-deprivation therapy is the first hormone therapy for those with prostate cancer, and can be combined with other hormone therapies.
• Prostate cancer is treated with a range of options, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
• New treatments for prostate cancer are being investigated, including laser procedures and CAR T therapy.

Statistics:

• Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
• One in six men in Australia will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.
• 67.9% of men with prostate cancer in Australia have a Gleason score of 7 or less.
• A Gleason score of 9 out of 10 indicates a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer.
• Androgen-deprivation therapy is the first hormone therapy option for those with prostate cancer.

Sources:

• [1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Australia. Retrieved from (Note: This source does not have an explicit date, so it is included as is).
• [2. The Conversation. (2023). Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/joe-biden-diagnosed-with-aggressive-prostate-cancer-195557 (Note: This source has a date, but only the year is mentioned).
• [3. John La Marca and Sarah Diepstraten. (2023). Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. The Conversation.