Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced stage of prostate cancer, a disease in which cancer cells in the prostate – a small gland in the male reproductive system – multiply rapidly.
Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, raising serious concerns about his health. Joe Biden’s office announced the diagnosis, highlighting that the cancer appears hormone-sensitive, which may respond to therapy for treatment.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” Joe Biden’s personal office said in a statement, as per the Associated Press.
A Gleason score is used to measure how aggressive a prostate tumor is after microscopic examination of tissue samples. A score of 9 out of 10, as in Joe Biden’s case, indicates that the cancer is growing rapidly.
Joe Biden’s office adds: “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.”
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut, located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra. It plays a vital role by producing fluid that forms part of semen.
According to the World Health Organization, prostate cancer is the fourth most common among all cancers in the world and the second most common cancer type in men. In 2022, the WHO reported 1.5 million cases of prostate cancer worldwide.
The American Cancer Society notes that about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. But the risk may differ case-to-case, depending on factors such as age and ethnicity. Age is the most significant risk factor for prostate cancer — the risk increases as men get older.
While this disease is considered the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, the prostate cancer death rate is said to have dipped from 1993 to 2022, driven by increased awareness, earlier detection, and advances in medical treatment.
Stages of prostate cancer
As most cancer types, prostate cancer is grouped into multiple stages. The diagnosis determines which of the four stages of prostate cancer a patient has.
Stages 1 and 2: This is considered an early stage, in which the tumor has still not spread beyond the prostate. In medical terms, it is “localised”.
You may also like
Stage 3: A locally advanced stage of prostate cancer, which indicates the cancer has spread outside the prostate, but only to nearby tissues, according to the Urology Care Foundation.
Stage 4: This is an advanced stage of prostate cancer, signifying that the cancer cells have multiplied and spread to other parts such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver or lungs.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
Some men may not have any symptoms of prostate cancer at all. However, some men may seek a diagnosis depending on their symptoms. A few of the most common prostate cancer symptoms, according to urologists, include:
- Difficulty in urination, marked by weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Pain or burning during urination
- Blood in the urine or semen along with pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
Regular screenings after the age of 40 can be helpful in early detection and diagnosis.
