May 18 (UPI) -- Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate that spread to his bones but is treatable, his office said Sunday.
Last week, Biden, 82, was evaluated after a small nodule was found on his prostate, which doctors told him required further examination.
"Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms," his office said in a statement to CNN and CBS.
"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. "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
The Gleason score is a grading system from 6 to 10 that assesses the aggressiveness of prostate cancer based on cancer cells under a microscope, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
A Gleason score of 9 means his illness is classified as "high-grade" and that the cancer cells could spread quickly.
Two cancer cells are graded on a scale of 1 to 5. The two numbers are added together to come up with the combined Gelason scores, such as 4 and 5 equal 9.
Biden, who left office as the oldest president in U.S. history, is at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, this weekend, according to CNN source.
President Donald Trump, who defeated Biden in November, posted on Truth Social: "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also reacted after the news from Biden.
"Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis. We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time," Harris, who ran for president after Biden dropped out of the race, wrote on X. "Joe is a fighter - and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."
Doctors removed a cancerous skin lesion from his chest while he was president in February 2023.
Biden underwent a physical at Walter Reed National Military Center in February 2024, and his physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor said there "no new concerns" and he was "fit for duty."
Biden's son Beau died from brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.
Biden established the "Cancer Moonshot" initiative after Beau's death as vice president. The program was reestablished in 2022 with the goal of "ending cancer as we know it."
"We're mobilizing the whole country effort to cut American cancer deaths in half by 20, 25 years and boost support for patients and their families. I'm confident in our capacity to do that. I know we can, but it's not just personal - it's about what's possible," Biden said last August.
The prostate, a small gland in the male reproduction system, is below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death of men behind lung cancer with about 1 in 44 men dying from it. One in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, with 6 in 10 cases among men 65 and older while cases in men under 40 are rare.
The American Cancer Society estimates this year about 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. And about 35,770 will die from the cancer.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation, hormone therapy and other methods.
Dr. Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said because it has spread to the bone "is very serious and not curable." But he said: There is some good news here in the newer hormonal and chemotherapy therapies into this space in the past few years which have shown impressive results and extended the longevity of patients significantly."
