Former US President Joe Biden has begun radiation therapy as part of his ongoing treatment for prostate cancer, his spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
The 82-year-old, who turns 83 next month, was diagnosed earlier this year with an aggressive form of the disease that has spread to his bones. The announcement marks the next stage in his treatment plan, which also includes hormone therapy.
The spokesperson for the former president said, “As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment.” However, no timeline has been provided for how long the treatment will continue.
Aggressive Form Of Prostate Cancer
Biden’s personal office had revealed in May that he was suffering from an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that had already metastasised to his bones.
In an interview with CNN shortly after the diagnosis, the former president said he remained optimistic about his recovery. “The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” Biden told CNN. “It’s not in any organ, it’s in – my bones are strong, it hadn’t penetrated. So, I’m feeling good.” He added that he had also begun a pill regimen as part of his treatment.
Medical experts say prostate cancer is among the most common forms of cancer in men, particularly in older age.
According to Biden’s medical team, his Gleason score — a grading system used to assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer — was 9, which indicates the most serious form of the disease.
Treatment And Past Health Procedures
Doctors say that patients with high-risk prostate cancer can still lead relatively normal lives with appropriate treatment, which may include hormone therapy, radiation, or chemotherapy.
In addition to prostate cancer, Biden has also undergone treatment for skin cancer. Last month, he had Mohs surgery to remove cancerous lesions from his skin. This follows a similar procedure in 2023, during his presidency, when a lesion removed from his chest tested positive for basal cell carcinoma.
His physician at the time, Dr Kevin O’Connor, said “all cancerous tissue was successfully removed” and that Biden would continue regular dermatological surveillance.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and is typically slow-growing and curable. Despite his ongoing medical treatments, Biden’s office has said he remains in good spirits and continues to follow his doctors’ advice closely.
