Joe Biden’s team issue rare cancer update

Recent updates on Joe Biden’s cancer treatment

AP News

Biden completes a round of radiation therapy as part of his prostate cancer treatment

Today

El País

Biden finaliza la radioterapia contra el cáncer de próstata

Today

The Washington Post

Biden completes a course of radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Today

Here is a detailed, comprehensive update on Joe Biden’s recent cancer-treatment developments — the what, when, why, and implications — crafted to provide full context for what is happening.

1. Background: The diagnosis

In May 2025, Biden’s team publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already metastasised (spread) to his bones. Wikipedia+3The Guardian+3The Washington Post+3

• The cancer was characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) — one of the most aggressive grades in prostate cancer. Michigan Medicine+2CBS News+2

• His office said the cancer was hormone-sensitive, which offers a more favourable treatment outlook than hormone-resistant disease. The Guardian

• At the time of announcement, there were also urinary symptoms and a nodule on his prostate. People.com+1

Why this matters

• Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but a metastatic presentation (spread to bones) is far less common. For example, only about 5-7 % of men with prostate cancer present with bone metastases at diagnosis in recent data. Michigan Medicine

• A Gleason score of 9 means the cancer cells are very abnormal on microscopy and likely to grow and spread more rapidly. CBS News

• Because the diagnosis is public and involves a former president, the stakes include public interest, questions of transparency, and implications for his ongoing activities and legacy.

Additional health context

• Separately, in September 2025 Biden underwent Mohs surgery for skin-cancer lesions (on his forehead). AP News+1

• So his health update encompasses at least two cancers: the prostate cancer with bone metastases, and skin cancer treated surgically.

2. Treatment plan & what we know so far

Following the diagnosis, Biden’s medical team and communications have outlined a multi-phase plan, and recently a key milestone has been reached.

A. Hormone therapy

Upon diagnosis, because the cancer was hormone-sensitive, the treatment plan included androgen-deprivation therapy (hormone therapy to reduce testosterone, which fuels prostate cancer growth). Michigan Medicine+1
This is standard first-line therapy for metastatic prostate cancer that remains responsive.

B. Radiation therapy

More recently, it was announced that Biden underwent a course of radiation therapy targeting the prostate and perhaps surrounding areas.

• On October 11, 2025 his spokesperson confirmed that he had begun radiation and hormone treatment. The Times+1

• On October 20, 2025, his team announced he completed a round of radiation therapy at the Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology clinic in Philadelphia. AP News+1

• The “ringing of the bell” ceremony traditionally marks the end of a course of radiation therapy in many cancer centres. Biden’s daughter posted a video of him doing so. People.com+2The Guardian+2

C. What is not yet clear

• Although the radiation phase is complete, it is not yet certain whether further therapies (additional radiation, chemotherapy, newer agents) will be needed. His team has not specified the next steps or timeline. AP News+1

• The full extent of his bone metastases (how many sites, which bones, involvement) has not been publicly detailed.

• While the cancer is hormone-sensitive, long-term outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer remain variable. The treatment goal is often management (keeping it under control) rather than cure.

3. What the public announcement included

Here are the main points covered by the team’s public update:

• Biden confirmed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason 9) that had spread to the bones. The Guardian+1

• The cancer was described as hormone-sensitive. The Guardian

• Treatment has been underway: hormone therapy began soon after diagnosis; radiation therapy has now been completed. CBS News+2Newsweek+2

• On October 20, 2025, the milestone of completing a round of radiation therapy was announced, with the bell-ringing photo/video. The Guardian+1

• A skin-cancer surgery (Mohs) for lesions on the forehead was also disclosed. AP News+1

• The team emphasised a positive outlook (insofar as they can say) but also said further evaluation remains. For example, his May statement included: “the prognosis is good.” The Washington Post

4. Medical & scientific context: What this means in practical terms

To interpret what all this means, it helps to place it in the context of prostate cancer treatment, especially in older patients, and the implications of bone-metastatic disease.

Prostate cancer basics

• Prostate cancer is often slow-growing and many men live many years with it when detected early.

• However, when the cancer is high-grade (e.g., Gleason 8-10) or has spread (metastasised), it becomes more serious. Michigan Medicine

• Gleason score: A histologic grading system — higher scores mean more aggressive disease. A score of 9 is among the highest. CBS News+1

• Bone metastasis: When prostate cancer spreads to bones, it typically becomes incurable (in current medical parlance) but can become manageable for many years.

Treatment reasoning

• Hormone therapy (androgen-deprivation) is standard initial therapy for hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer. It slows growth. Michigan Medicine

• Radiation therapy can be used for local control (in the prostate) and to help reduce tumour burden, relieve symptoms, or potentially improve survival when combined with hormone therapy in selected settings.

• The fact that Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive is a favourable factor: such cancers respond better initially.

• However, age is a factor: At 82 years old (turning 83 in November), general health, comorbidities, and potential treatment toxicities are all relevant.

Prognosis and what to watch

• According to the analysis by Michigan Medicine, even men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer can respond well to therapy and live multiple years; the key is how extensive the disease is at diagnosis, how well it responds, and the patient’s overall health status. Michigan Medicine

• A major caveat: many men with metastatic prostate cancer will eventually become hormone-resistant (i.e., the cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy) and require more advanced therapies.

• Because Biden’s team has not published comprehensive details of metastasis extent, how long the response will last is uncertain.

• Monitoring will involve PSA levels, imaging, bone scans, symptoms (especially bone pain), and general health status.

Importance of transparency & regular screening

• Some oncologists (e.g., Ezekiel Emanuel) commented that the aggressive nature of the cancer and its bone spread suggest it may have been present for some time (potentially years) before detection. New York Post

• Typically, routine prostate cancer screening (PSA testing) declines after age 70–75 in many guidelines because the benefits vs. risks change; thus, older men like Biden may have less frequent screening. Michigan Medicine

• The case underscores ongoing debate about screening in older men and the balance of early detection vs. over-treatment.

5. Implications for Biden’s public life, legacy & what to watch

Given that Biden is a former U.S. President, his health has broad implications beyond the strictly medical.

A. Public perception and leadership

• At age 82/83, his health has been a topic of scrutiny — for his physical and cognitive fitness, especially as they relate to his ability to remain active in public life and his legacy roles.

• His cancer diagnosis and treatment become part of his public narrative – both in terms of resilience and potential limitations.

• By publicly sharing the diagnosis, treatment plan and progress, his team is accounting for transparency, which is important for public trust.

B. Legacy & cancer advocacy

• Throughout his career, Biden has been an advocate for cancer research (for instance, the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative). His personal diagnosis adds a human dimension to his policy advocacy. Wikipedia

• His experience may reinforce his legacy in cancer research and awareness, possibly shaping future engagements in health policy, philanthropy, or public service.

C. What the public should watch

• Future updates: Will he require further treatment (additional radiation, chemotherapy, newer systemic therapies such as novel hormone agents or targeted therapy)?

• Long-term monitoring: How his PSA levels respond over time, how his bone metastases respond, whether he develops symptoms.

• Quality of life & functional status: In older patients with cancer, maintaining good quality of life is often as important as the clinical outcomes.

• Any announcement of modifications in his public engagements, travel, or role that reflect his health status.

• The effect on his broader ambitions (foundation, library, public service) — whether his health condition influences timelines or capacity.

6. Why the update is considered “rare” and what that term means

The phrase you used, “rare cancer update”, hints at something unusual. Indeed, there are some factors that make this update noteworthy:

• Former presidents and high-profile public figures undergo health disclosures, but detailed public releases of treatment progression (such as completion of radiation therapy) are less common.

• The combination of an aggressive cancer (Gleason 9, bone metastases) and high public visibility makes this case atypical.

• The act of publicly “ringing the bell” at completion of radiation is a symbolic moment that received media attention — it emphasises both medical progress and public narrative.

• The dual diagnosis (prostate cancer + skin cancer surgery) compounds the complexity.

7. Key take-aways

Here are several major take-aways from the full update:

1. Diagnosis: Aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason 9) with bone metastasis announced in May 2025.

2. Treatment initiated: Hormone therapy followed by a course of radiation therapy.

3. Milestone reached: Completed a round of radiation therapy as of October 20, 2025, with the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.

4. Outlook: Although the prognosis is cautiously optimistic (due to hormone sensitivity), the advanced stage (bone spread) means careful monitoring is required and further treatment may be necessary.

5. Transparency: Biden’s team has provided more detail than is typical for many high-profile individuals, though some medical specifics remain private (extent of spread, detailed treatment roadmap).

6. Broader implications: The update intersects with public perceptions of age, leadership capability, cancer awareness, and legacy of a former president.

7. What remains unknown: The next steps in treatment, the full extent of metastatic disease, how long the current response will last, and how this will impact his future engagements.

8. Quotes & human dimension

• Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, posted: “Rung the bell! Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses and staff at Penn Medicine. We are so grateful! Dad has been so damn brave throughout his treatment.” CBS News+1

• From his May public remarks: he affirmed, while acknowledging the seriousness, that “the prognosis is good” and that his bones were “strong.” The Washington Post

These underscore the human side of the announcement — both the medical journey and the familial/public narrative.

9. Context: How this compares to typical cases & what this means for older patients

• For men diagnosed with prostate cancer at the metastatic stage (bone involvement), survival and outcomes vary widely. Some live many years with proper treatment; others progress more rapidly. The fact that Biden’s cancer remains hormone-sensitive is favourable. Michigan Medicine

• Older age (80s) may increase risks of treatment side-effects and impact decision-making (balancing intensity of therapy with quality of life).

• The fact that his team opted for radiation therapy in addition to hormone therapy reflects a more aggressive approach, which is consistent with current guidelines for some patients with metastatic prostate cancer — especially those with good functional status and limited comorbidities.

10. Future considerations & potential next steps

• Further imaging: To monitor bone metastases (e.g., bone scans, PET/CT) and assess response to therapy.

• PSA monitoring: Routine measurement of PSA levels will indicate how well the hormone therapy (and now radiation) is working.

• Additional systemic therapies: If and when the cancer becomes less responsive to hormone therapy, options include newer androgen-axis drugs (e.g., enzalutamide, abiraterone), chemotherapy (e.g., docetaxel), bone-targeted agents, immunotherapy or clinical trials.

• Supportive care: For bone metastases, bone-protecting agents (e.g., bisphosphonates, denosumab) may be used; pain management and physical function are important.

• Lifestyle and comorbidity management: Maintaining good cardiovascular health, bone health, mobility, and monitoring for other conditions (especially in older age) will be key for his overall prognosis and quality of life.

• Public updates: Monitoring how frequently his team issues updates — whether there will be scheduled disclosures, or updates only when major milestones occur — will influence public confidence.

11. Why this is significant beyond the individual

• This announcement draws attention to prostate cancer in older men, especially the issue of diagnosis at advanced stages and the challenges of screening guidelines for older individuals.

• It underscores the importance of transparent health communication in public life: when a former or current head of state receives a serious diagnosis, there are broader implications for public trust, institutional stability (in active office cases), and awareness.

• It may influence public policy or philanthropic focus on cancer research, especially given Biden’s history of cancer advocacy.

• On a human level, it provides an opportunity to destigmatize cancer-treatment journeys, show that advanced cancer may be managed, and highlight the role of multidisciplinary care.

12. Conclusion

The recent update on Joe Biden’s health — especially the announcement that he completed a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive, bone-metastatic prostate cancer — is a meaningful milestone in a complex medical journey. While it is encouraging that the therapy phase has been completed and the tumour remains hormone-sensitive, the advanced nature of the disease means vigilance remains essential.

For Biden himself, the announcement is both a personal health disclosure and a public legacy marker: how he deals with this challenge will shape his remaining years of public life, his advocacy, and how the American public perceives older-age leadership, health transparency, and living with cancer.