Former US President Joe Biden has completed a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office confirmed on Monday. The 82-year-old received treatment at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia, according to his aide Kelly Scully.
Diagnosis and Disease Progression
Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer after leaving office earlier this year. His postpresidential office revealed in May that the disease had spread to his bones, discovered following reports of urinary symptoms.
Gleason Score Indicates Aggressiveness
Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using a Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10. Higher scores indicate more aggressive disease. Biden’s score was 9, placing it among the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Recent Health Updates
Last month, Biden also underwent surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead. His postpresidential office has regularly updated the public on his health following his departure from the White House in January.
Political Context
Biden left office six months after ending his bid for reelection, following a challenging debate against Republican Donald Trump, amid concerns over his age, health, and mental fitness. Trump ultimately defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, Biden’s former vice president.
Prognosis and Public Health Context
When detected early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. However, it remains the second-leading cause of cancer death among men. According to the American Cancer Society, cited by AP, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
Related topics
