• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
PoliticsJoe Biden

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread

Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 18, 2025, 4:45 PM ET
Former U.S. President Joe Biden at a conference hosted by the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled on April 15 in Chicago.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden at a conference hosted by the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled on April 15 in Chicago.Scott Olson—Getty Images
  • Biden’s office disclosed his condition on Sunday after a “small nodule” was discovered on his prostate last week while at a hospital in Philadelphia. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” a statement from his office said.

Former President Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bone, according to a statement from his office on Sunday.

Recommended Video

The disclosure came after a “small nodule” was discovered on his prostate last week while at a hospital in Philadelphia after experiencing increased urinary symptoms.

“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” his office said Sunday.

Gleason scores measure prostate cancers on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating Biden’s is close to being the most aggressive.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement added. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Biden, 82, left office as the oldest serving president in American history. In February 2024, Biden’s doctor said there were “no new concerns” after a physical at Walter Reed National Military Center.

He recently began speaking out against President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine as well as his talk of taking over Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal.

But the release of the book Original Sin has reignited questions about his Biden’s cognitive decline and decision to run for re-election.

In addition, the recent release of audio from Biden’s 2023 interview for a special counsel probe on his handling of classified documents raised fresh concerns. 

Biden eventually stepped aside last summer after a disastrous debate performance and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him.

During an appearance on ABC’s The View earlier this month disputed claims about his cognitive decline in his last year as president, saying “They are wrong. There is nothing to sustain that.”

Join us at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit May 19–20, 2026, in Atlanta. The next era of workplace innovation is here—and the old playbook is being rewritten. At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. Register now.
About the Author
Jason Ma
By Jason MaWeekend Editor

Jason Ma is the weekend editor at Fortune, where he covers markets, the economy, finance, and housing.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in the Arctic Ocean in Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
PoliticsDonald Trump
Danish intelligence report warns of U.S. economic leverage and military threat under Trump
By The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
38 minutes ago
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a joint press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2023 as European leaders visit the country 18 months after the start of Russia's invasion.
EuropeUkraine invasion
EU indefinitely freezes Russian assets to prevent Hungary and Slovakia from vetoing billions of euros being sent to support Ukraine
By Lorne Cook and The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
43 minutes ago
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez often praises the financial and social benefits that immigrants bring to the country.
EuropeSpain
In a continent cracking down on immigration and berated by Trump’s warnings of ‘civilizational erasure,’ Spain embraces migrants
By Suman Naishadham and The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
47 minutes ago
Politicsdavid sacks
Can there be competency without conflict in Washington?
By Alyson ShontellDecember 13, 2025
5 hours ago
PoliticsAffordable Care Act (ACA)
With just days to go before ACA subsidies expire, Congress is about to wrap up its work with no consensus solution in sight
By Kevin Freking, Lisa Mascaro and The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
7 hours ago
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump couldn’t insult his way to victory in Indiana redistricting battle. ‘Folks in our state don’t react well to being bullied’
By Thomas Beaumont, Isabella Volmert and The Associated PressDecember 13, 2025
7 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs are taxes and they were used to finance the federal government until the 1913 income tax. A top economist breaks it down
By Kent JonesDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake for $800 in 1976—today it’d be worth up to $400 billion
By Preston ForeDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
40% of Stanford undergrads receive disability accommodations—but it’s become a college-wide phenomenon as Gen Z try to succeed in the current climate
By Preston ForeDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The Fed just ‘Trump-proofed’ itself with a unanimous move to preempt a potential leadership shake-up
By Jason MaDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
For the first time since Trump’s tariff rollout, import tax revenue has fallen, threatening his lofty plans to slash the $38 trillion national debt
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Apple CEO Tim Cook out-earns the average American’s salary in just 7 hours—to put that into context, he could buy a new $439,000 home in just 2 days
By Emma BurleighDecember 12, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.