On Sunday afternoon, former President Donald Trump expressed sympathy following the announcement of President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post. “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 offered her condolences and encouragement to her former running mate and his loved ones. “Doug and I were saddened to hear about President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis,” she shared. “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their family in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Joe is a fighter — and I know he’ll approach this challenge with the same determination, resilience, and optimism that have defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and fast recovery,” Harris added.
According to a statement released Sunday, Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer.
“Last week, President Joe Biden underwent evaluation for a newly detected prostate nodule after reporting increased urinary symptoms,” his medical team revealed. “He was diagnosed on Friday with prostate cancer, classified as Gleason score 9 (Grade Group 5), which has metastasized to the bone.”
Despite the seriousness of the condition, doctors noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which allows for viable treatment options. The president and his family are now in discussions with his doctors about potential courses of treatment.
Sources told NBC News that the Biden family is considering several treatment strategies, including hormone therapy.
Biden is currently recuperating at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. There has been no official announcement yet on where he will undergo treatment.
A Gleason score of 9, or Grade Group 5, indicates a high-risk and aggressive form of prostate cancer, with a greater likelihood of spreading.
“This score signifies an aggressive cancer, but to understand the full extent, imaging like a PET scan is necessary,” explained Dr. Alan Tan, head of genitourinary oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Tan is not directly involved in Biden’s care.
“This type of diagnosis is something I deal with regularly in my clinic,” he noted. “It’s a common case in the field of genitourinary oncology.”
Experts emphasized that while Biden’s diagnosis is serious, it is not necessarily fatal. With effective treatment, patients often live for many years with the disease managed.
Dr. Tan added that Biden has “a strong likelihood of achieving remission” — potentially within six months.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It primarily affects older men and ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in American men, following lung cancer.
