Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer, which comes with a five-year survival rate of about 30% to 40%.
Characterized by a Gleason score of 9 and a grade group of 5, Biden’s condition shows bone metastasis, which indicates that the cancer has spread significantly. Dr. Mark Siegel, a medical analyst, remarked on the “Fox Report” that this diagnosis signifies a high risk of spreading. “It’s the most aggressive type,” he noted.
Additionally, Biden is showing symptoms related to urinary issues, a sign that the cancer may be advancing. Dr. Siegel explained that prostate cancer can often be asymptomatic in its early stages, which compounds the seriousness of a late discovery.
Biden’s cancer was discovered during a routine physical exam that included a prostate test. “I’m somewhat surprised it’s progressed to this extent,” Siegel said.
He emphasized the importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for men over 45, as these tests measure PSA levels in the blood and are commonly used for screening prostate cancer. Although PSA testing isn’t foolproof, elevated PSA levels usually lead to further investigations like MRIs, and might result in the decision to perform a biopsy.
Dr. Siegel pointed out that more than 80% of men over 80 have prostate cancer cells. “It’s quite remarkable if close screening wasn’t conducted because this type of cancer is well-known in the medical community,” he explained. Age is a significant risk factor, and at 82, Biden is particularly vulnerable.
Treatment for Biden is likely to include hormone therapy, and doctors might consider addressing bone lesions or removing the prostate entirely. “Sometimes, they choose multiple therapies,” Siegel mentioned. Options include radiation and hormone treatments, which are not uncommon for advanced cases.
Two medications often used for such advanced prostate cancer are lupron, which inhibits testosterone production, and casodex, which blocks testosterone effects. Siegel noted potential side effects such as fatigue and decreased efficiency.
“Another concern is the risk of bone pain,” he added, as bone metastases can be quite distressing. If detected early while still localized to the prostate, cancer is often curable. “The goal is to intervene before it spreads beyond the prostate,” Siegel concluded. Once the cancer leaves the prostate, treatment becomes significantly more challenging.
