Former President Joe Biden has commenced a new phase of treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office confirmed on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The 82-year-old former commander-in-chief is now undergoing radiation and hormone therapy, a significant step in his battle against the disease first diagnosed in May 2025.
The announcement brings the former president’s health back into the national spotlight, months after he left the White House in January 2025. According to his spokesperson, the treatment regimen is part of a comprehensive plan to manage the illness, which had metastasized to his bones. The news has been met with a wave of support from across the political spectrum, alongside renewed discussions on health transparency for public figures.
Quick Take: Key Facts
- New Treatment Phase: Former President Joe Biden, 82, started radiation and hormone therapy on October 11, 2025, for prostate cancer.
- Aggressive Diagnosis: He was diagnosed in May 2025 with a high-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score of 9) that has metastasized to the bone.
- Hormone-Sensitive: Despite its aggressive nature, the cancer is reportedly “hormone-sensitive,” suggesting it is likely to respond to treatment.
- Previous Treatments: This follows a hormone pill regimen and a separate procedure in September 2025 to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.
- Timeline: The radiation treatment is expected to last for approximately five weeks, according to sources familiar with his health plan.
Context: A Post-Presidency Health Battle
The news comes nearly ten months after Joe Biden concluded his single term as the 46th President of the United States. His post-presidency has been relatively private, spent largely at his Delaware home. However, his health became a matter of public record in May 2025 when his office announced the cancer diagnosis.
The initial disclosure revealed the cancer was not only aggressive but had already spread. Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using the Gleason score, which ranges from 6 to 10. Biden’s score was reported as 9, placing his cancer among the most aggressive types.
The diagnosis followed his reporting of urinary symptoms, which led to the discovery of a prostate nodule. The subsequent confirmation of metastasis to the bone classified it as Stage 4 cancer.
In a statement following the May diagnosis, Biden took to the social media platform X, writing, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.” This message resonated deeply, particularly as the Biden family lost their son, Beau, to brain cancer in 2015.
Latest Developments: A New Treatment Regimen
The move to radiation therapy marks an escalation in Mr. Biden’s treatment. A spokesperson, Kelly Scully, provided the official confirmation to the press.
“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” Scully stated on Saturday.
While his office has not detailed the specifics of the radiation schedule, sources familiar with his plan told NBC News the treatment is expected to span five weeks. This new phase is in addition to the hormone therapy he has been receiving in pill form since the spring. Sources close to the former president state he is “doing well and responding to treatment.”
Just last month, in September 2025, Mr. Biden underwent a separate procedure, a Mohs surgery, to remove cancerous cells from his skin, which required him to wear a noticeable bandage on his forehead during public appearances.
Expert Analysis: Understanding the Prognosis
Medical experts note that while a Gleason score of 9 with bone metastasis is a serious diagnosis, the “hormone-sensitive” nature of the cancer is a crucial factor.
- Prostate Cancer Statistics: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, aside from skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. (American Cancer Society)
- Age as a Factor: The disease is particularly common in older men. Approximately 80% of men over the age of 80 have some cancerous cells in their prostate gland, according to research cited by Al Jazeera.
- Survival Rates: For distant (metastatic) prostate cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate is 34%, according to data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program (2014-2020). However, this rate is an average and can be influenced by many factors, including the patient’s overall health and the cancer’s response to hormone therapy.
Dr. Tudor Borza of Michigan Medicine explained in May that for a man in his 80s who is no longer undergoing routine PSA screening, “discovering cancer only after it has spread is, unfortunately, not surprising.”
Hormone therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), works by reducing the levels of male hormones (androgens) that fuel prostate cancer cell growth. While it can be very effective at shrinking tumors and slowing the cancer’s progression for months or years, it is not a cure for metastatic disease. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with ADT to target specific cancerous areas, such as tumors in the bone, to relieve pain and prevent fractures.
What to Watch Next
The coming weeks will be critical in assessing Mr. Biden’s response to the intensified treatment. His office has not indicated whether further public updates will be provided during the five-week radiation course. As a former president, there is no obligation to disclose his medical details, but the precedent of transparency set in May suggests his team may continue to provide periodic updates.
The news underscores the personal challenges faced by a figure who has spent over half a century in the public eye. As he navigates this private health battle, the public and political worlds will be watching with concern and respect for his privacy.
