Subhechcha Ganguly 
The office of former U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The 82-year-old underwent medical examination last week after experiencing worsening urinary symptoms.
According to Biden’s office, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective treatment despite its aggressive nature. However, the cancer cells have spread to his bones, making it more serious than localized or early-stage prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer, a disease where prostate cells grow uncontrollably, is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Approximately one in eight men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system responsible for producing fluid that, along with sperm cells and other glandular fluids, forms semen. It is situated below the bladder and above the pelvic floor muscles.
Experts note that while metastatic prostate cancer is not curable, it is treatable, with many patients living several years after diagnosis. Dr. Matthew Smith from Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center said patients with metastatic prostate cancer typically live four to five years or more with current treatments.
Biden’s cancer has been graded with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a high-grade cancer that is more likely to grow and spread rapidly. The Gleason scoring system ranges from 6 to 10, with higher scores reflecting more aggressive disease.
Biden and his medical team are reportedly proceeding with appropriate management and treatment plans for this diagnosis.
