The ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer has been identified in former President Joe Biden, 82, according to a Sunday announcement from his office.

According to a statement announcing the discovery, the cancer has gone to his bones and metastasised. The family is currently deliberating on available treatment choices.

The news was made just one week after it was reported that Biden’s prostate had a “small nodule” that required “further evaluation.”

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” said a statement regarding the diagnosis.

“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” it adds of the grave prognosis.

A ‘Gleason score’ is assigned to prostate tumours based on how the malignant cells appear in comparison to healthy ones. Biden’s cancer appears to be among the most aggressive, based on his score of 9.

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His office noted that: “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”

Former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis was “saddened to hear,” according to President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

“We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump wrote in Truth Social on Sunday.

In addition to being elected as the oldest individual to hold the highest office in American history, Biden departed office as the country’s oldest sitting president.

Last weekend, according to his staff, the “small nodule” on his prostate was found during “a routine physical exam.”

Prostate problems are widespread among people in their advanced years. According to the American Cancer Society, men over 65 account for more than half of all prostate cancer cases.

A hard lump or swelling that can appear anywhere on the body is called a nodule. Some may be benign and innocuous, while others may be linked to more serious health issues like infections or, in this case, cancer.

In the end, concerns about the former president’s age, health, and suitability for office caused him to withdraw from his reelection campaign and hand the reins over to 60-year-old Vice President Kamala Harris.

Democratic Party leaders have begun to openly acknowledge that Biden was wrong to seek reelection in 2024. Some say that aides who were hiding Biden from the public and telling party members he was fit behind the scenes tricked them.

Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, reacted to his newest health revelation by saying, “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. 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.”

In 2022, Biden rekindled his Cancer Moonshot campaign, which he had initially been tasked with leading while he was vice president under Barack Obama.

By 2047, the project aimed to improve the lives of cancer patients and reduce the cancer death rate by half.

For Biden, finding a solution to the cancer issue was personal.

After being diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, in 2013, his son Beau Biden passed away in 2015 at the age of 46. According to his father, Beau’s exposure to military burn pits during his time in Iraq caused the cancer.

Prior to taking office, Biden underwent Mohs surgery to remove many non-melanoma skin cancer spots and had a malignant tumour removed from his chest in February 2023.

Biden was deemed ‘fit to serve’ by his physician after a regular medical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in February 2024, when he was still president.

The most severe grade of prostate cancer that a patient can be assigned is 9 (Grade Group 5). The serious diagnosis is further supported by the fact that cancer has spread to the former president’s bones.

According to the statement from Biden’s office, his cancer seems to be hormone sensitive and may be properly treated with a variety of therapies.

Since testosterone can aid in the growth and metastasis of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, doctors and medical professionals have observed that inhibiting testosterone production is an effective treatment for this type of cancer.