The news of Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis rocked the Washington, D.C. world. It could go either way.
But a top doctor with Fox News just gave terrible news to viewers about Joe Biden’s health.
Biden Faces Advanced Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Raising Concerns Among Medical Experts
Former President Joe Biden received a serious health diagnosis on Friday, with doctors identifying a form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday. The news has prompted expressions of concern from medical professionals, including Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who discussed the diagnosis on the Fox Report with host Jon Scott. Siegel noted he was “taken aback” at the “very advanced” state of Biden’s condition, highlighting the severity of the illness.
The diagnosis revealed Biden’s cancer has a Gleason score of nine out of a possible ten, according to the release from his office. The Gleason score, as defined by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, measures how quickly prostate cancer spreads by evaluating the two most dominant patterns of mutated cells in a biopsy. A score of nine indicates an aggressive form of the disease. “Gleason nine, Jon, means that it’s a very aggressive form of cancer and group five means that within that, it’s the most aggressive type,” Siegel told Scott. “That means it has the highest risk of spread, which obviously he has had.”
Biden is experiencing urinary symptoms, which Siegel pointed out is unusual for prostate cancer, as it is often asymptomatic in earlier stages. “When it reaches the point you’re already having urinary symptoms, that’s also a sign that it’s pretty far advanced,” Siegel said. The cancer’s spread to the bone classifies it as Stage 4B, according to the Mayo Clinic, which reports a five-year survival rate of approximately 37% for this stage. The advanced nature of the disease has raised questions about how it went undetected in earlier screenings.
Siegel expressed puzzlement over the apparent absence of detection in a 2024 prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a common blood test used to identify prostate cancer. “One of the questions on everyone’s mind, and you just heard this from the reporter is, what about last year’s PSA?” Siegel said.
“You know, this was found by physical examination by prostate exam.” He noted that Biden, as a former president, likely received top-tier medical care, making the late diagnosis particularly surprising. “I’m just, I’m a little taken aback it’s this far advanced and very, very concerned about it,” he added.
Host Jon Scott echoed Siegel’s concerns, emphasizing the quality of care Biden is presumed to have received. “This is a former president of the United States,” Scott said. “He’s supposed to be getting, as you said, the best medical care in the world and yet, you know, just a few months after he leaves office, this prostate cancer is advanced enough that it has metastasized to the bone. That’s, well, that’s just not good.” The diagnosis has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of routine screenings for high-profile patients.
Siegel explained that while PSA tests are standard for men over 45, prostate cancer can sometimes develop without elevating PSA levels, which may have contributed to the delayed detection. He outlined potential treatment options, expressing hope that Biden’s cancer might respond to hormone therapy, which reduces testosterone levels that can fuel prostate cancer growth.
“It may very well be that he’s hormone responsive and that’s what we’re all hoping and praying for here,” Siegel said. He also noted advancements in radiation therapy and robotic prostatectomy, which could be considered depending on Biden’s treatment plan.
NYU Langone urologist Dr. Herbert Lepore provided additional perspective in an interview with Reuters, stating that modern treatments enable men with metastatic prostate cancer to live five to ten years with the disease. Dr. Chris George, medical director of Northwestern Medical Network’s cancer program, told the outlet that while metastasis renders the cancer incurable, treatments can effectively manage the disease. These insights offer a glimpse into the medical strategies that may be employed in Biden’s care.
Biden’s medical history includes significant health challenges, such as two surgeries for brain aneurysms and a pulmonary embolism in 1988, as reported by media at the time. The current diagnosis adds to the health concerns for the former president, who served as the 46th president of the United States until January 2025. The public disclosure of his condition has drawn attention to the complexities of prostate cancer detection and treatment.
The medical community continues to monitor Biden’s case, with experts like Siegel emphasizing the importance of advanced therapies. “They’ve advanced radiation therapy dramatically for prostate cancer,” Siegel said. “They can target it, they can use the seeds, it has less side effects than it used to.” The focus remains on tailoring a treatment plan that addresses the aggressive nature of Biden’s cancer while leveraging cutting-edge medical interventions.
On social media, Joe Biden’s family posted a picture of Joe and his wife Jill, seemingly taking the news well and in stride, saying that they are “strongest in the broken places.” Donald Trump reportedly also reached out to the former President and shared a post online wishing the Biden family well.
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. pic.twitter.com/oSS1vGIiwU
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 19, 2025
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