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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
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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.

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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.”

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
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.

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