WASHINGTON — Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has begun radiation and hormone therapy as part of his treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
The diagnosis, first revealed in May, involves a Gleason score of 9, indicating the most aggressive form of the disease. While Biden did not disclose an exact timeline, a source said treatment began several weeks ago.
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” Biden told CNN earlier this year, adding that the cancer had not penetrated his organs. “My bones are strong… I’m feeling good.” He has also started a daily pill regimen as part of his treatment plan.
Medical experts say while the spread to bone is very serious and not curable, advances in hormone and chemotherapy treatments in recent years have extended patient survival significantly.
Biden’s medical history has included multiple cancer-related treatments. Last month, he underwent Mohs surgery to remove recurring skin cancer lesions, and in 2023, a lesion removed from his chest tested positive for basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
Biden, who turns 83 next month, continues to receive close medical monitoring as he undergoes therapy for his prostate cancer.