Understanding Joe Biden’s Recent Cancer Diagnosis

Since Joe Biden revealed his cancer diagnosis on Sunday morning, questions have surged online about how such a serious illness could remain unnoticed in a former president with access to top-tier medical care. People are also wondering why routine prostate screenings are not recommended annually for men over 69, whether the diagnosis might explain some of Biden’s occasional lapses in demeanor, and if any information was withheld during his recent re-election campaign.

To shed light on these questions, insights were gathered from experts familiar with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

What details are known about Biden’s cancer?

The diagnosis points to an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Microscopically, the cancer cells display a highly abnormal structure, earning a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, which indicates a high likelihood of rapid progression. The disease has metastasized from the prostate to the bones, signifying that it is no longer curable but can be managed through medical therapies.

What is the outlook for patients with this stage of cancer?

Stage 4 prostate cancer patients typically have a survival range of five to ten years, a prognosis that has improved significantly in recent years thanks to medical advances. Treatment usually involves hormone therapy to suppress testosterone production—since testosterone fuels the cancer—alongside medications that eliminate any testosterone circulating in the bloodstream. Additional treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies tailored to the cancer’s specific characteristics.

Speculation has arisen suggesting possible concealment of the diagnosis, but no concrete evidence supports these claims.

Information from Biden’s aides indicates that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing was discontinued after 2014. Given this, his medical team may not have detected the cancer earlier.

This raises the question: why was PSA testing stopped, especially for an individual under constant medical observation like a former president?