Joe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: What a Gleason Score of 9 Really Means

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. A statement from Biden’s office revealed that the diagnosis followed his experiences with urinary issues.

The reported Gleason score of nine out of ten indicates a highly aggressive cancer. His cancer is noted to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management options.

Prostate cancer originates in the prostate, a small gland located below the bladder, and is the second most prevalent cancer among men globally. In Australia, one in six men will receive a diagnosis by age 85. This cancer can present in various forms: some may be slow-growing and require little or no immediate treatment, while others can spread aggressively.

Symptoms often go unnoticed during the early stages, making detection challenging. As the disease progresses, signs may include frequent urination, painful urination, and back pain. Advanced stages can lead to severe fatigue and weight loss.

The Gleason score helps measure the cancer’s aggressiveness and guides treatment decisions. Clinicians extract tissue samples from the tumor to determine this score. They assess two representative sections, assigning grades based on their appearance. The sum of these grades yields the Gleason score. Scores of six or less denote low risk, while eight to ten indicates fast-growing cancer.

This score is just one tool in the diagnostic process, supplemented by blood tests for prostate-specific antigens and imaging studies. Biden’s Gleason score suggests a high level of aggressiveness.

Hormone-sensitive cancers, like Biden’s, rely on male hormones for growth. Treatments often focus on reducing androgen levels or blocking their effects. Common approaches include androgen-deprivation therapy and androgen-receptor blockers. While effective, these treatments can lead to side effects such as weight gain and fatigue.

Other treatment options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Ongoing research is exploring innovative treatments like CAR T therapy and laser procedures to combat cancer cells.

Currently, Biden and his family are assessing the best course of action regarding his treatment options.