What Is 'Aggressive Prostate Cancer' Former US President Joe Biden Has Been Diagnosed With? Know Symptoms & Treatment Options

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer, a condition that has reportedly spread to his bones. At 82 years old, Biden's diagnosis comes as a serious but not uncommon development, especially among older men.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing 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,” a statement from his personal office Sunday said.

It continued, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”

Here's what you need to know about this type of cancer, its symptoms, and available treatment options.

What is aggressive prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland, which plays a role in producing seminal fluid in men. While many forms of prostate cancer are slow-growing and manageable, Biden’s case is different-he has been diagnosed with a high-grade, aggressive type.

Doctors measure how aggressive prostate cancer is using something called the Gleason score. This score ranges from 6 (least aggressive) to 10 (most aggressive). Biden's cancer has a Gleason score of 9, which means it grows and spreads quickly. In his case, the cancer has metastasized-meaning it has moved from the prostate to other parts of the body, including his bones. This stage is often referred to as metastatic prostate cancer.

Symptoms to watch out for

Prostate cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages. However, aggressive or advanced forms may lead to:

1. Frequent urination, especially at night

2. Trouble starting or stopping urine flow

3. Weak or interrupted urine stream

4. Blood in urine or semen

5. Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis- especially if the cancer has spread to bones

In President Biden's case, his recent urinary symptoms prompted medical evaluations that led to the diagnosis.

Treatment options for advanced prostate cancer

Though metastatic prostate cancer is generally not curable, it is treatable. The goal of treatment is to slow the disease’s progression, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.

1. Hormone Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy - ADT)

This is the most common treatment for aggressive prostate cancer. The goal is to block testosterone, which helps fuel prostate cancer cells. This can be done through medications or surgery.

2. Radiation Therapy

This treatment uses high-energy beams to target cancer cells. It can also help reduce bone pain in cases where cancer has spread to the skeleton.

3. Chemotherapy

If hormone therapy is no longer effective, chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel may be used to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.

4. Bone-strengthening treatments

Since Biden’s cancer has spread to his bones, medications like bisphosphonates or denosumab can help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures or complications.

Why early detection matters?

This case highlights the importance of early screening for prostate cancer. Since symptoms often don’t appear early on, regular PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood tests and digital rectal exams are recommended for men over 50- or earlier for those with family history or other risk factors.

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