The office of 82-year-old Joe Biden has confirmed that the former president is grappling with a “very rare” and “aggressive” variant of prostate cancer, now classified by medical experts as Stage 4.
The quietly released statement on Sunday morning revealed that Biden has been assigned a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which is the second-highest rating on the prostate cancer grading scale. This alarming score, combined with metastasis to the bone, indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate into Biden’s skeletal system.
According to the official statement, Biden was examined last week due to a newly discovered prostate nodule following a rise in urinary symptoms. By Friday, the diagnosis of prostate cancer was confirmed, with a Gleason score of 9 and evidence of metastasis to the bone.
Dr. Alexander Kutikov, chair of the Department of Urology at Philadelphia’s Fox Chase Cancer Center, did not mince words in his assessment on NBC10: this is indeed Stage 4 cancer.
“The fact that the cancer has spread to the bone categorizes it as Stage 4,” Kutikov asserted.
Stage 4 prostate cancer, also known as metastatic prostate cancer, signifies that the disease has extended beyond the prostate gland, impacting other bodily regions. This advanced stage is defined by the presence of cancer cells in distant sites, such as lymph nodes, bones, liver, or lungs.
Dr. Kutikov noted that only 5 to 8% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have it already metastasized to other organs or bones. Biden’s high Gleason score of 9, coupled with extensive metastasis, places him in an exceptionally rare and high-risk category.
“This is a very rare subtype and an unusual scenario for the president,” Kutikov explained. “The majority of prostate cancers are classified as low-risk. In fact, around half of the prostate cancers treated in the United States don’t require immediate intervention.”
Despite the dire classification, Kutikov indicated that Biden’s cancer is “manageable.”
“It’s manageable. This is not a situation where we are merely trying to prolong life for another year. Treatment at this stage is an investment in the future to ensure the president remains healthy and with us for years to come,” Kutikov concluded.
