Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone.

The saddening news is the latest in a long list of health challenges the former president has faced.

Joe Biden, who served as president from 2021 to 2025, was seen by doctors after suffering urinary symptoms, with a prostate nodule then being found.

He was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer, where the cancerous cells had metastasized to the bone, indicating a more “aggressive” type of the illness that appears “very abnormal”.

Nevertheless, the cancer seems to be responsive to hormones, allowing Biden’s medical team to hold a hopeful outlook regarding the potential for “effective management”.

The former president and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his doctors, as of Monday, May 19, 2025.

On Sunday, May 18, Biden’s personal office issued a statement saying, “Last week, President Joe Biden was evaluated for a newly discovered prostate nodule following worsening urinary symptoms.”

“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.

“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Following the sad news, President Donald Trump took to Truth social to release a statement saying: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis.

“We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

Below we chart a timeline of Joe Biden’s health scares and battles over the years, right up to the latest diagnosis.

1988 — Brain aneurysm 

In February 1988, then-Senator Biden was rushed to Walter Reed Army Medical Center with excruciating headaches and neck stiffness.

He was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm — a potentially lethal bulge in a blood vessel that had burst.

Emergency surgery was performed to secure the aneurysm, but doctors also discovered a second, un-ruptured aneurysm on the other side of his brain.

It was successfully operated on was later that year, but Biden spent months away from the Senate, curbing his presidential aspirations at the time.

1989 — Pulmonary embolisms

During his recovery from the aneurysm surgeries, Biden developed pulmonary embolisms — blood clots that travel to the lungs and obstruct arteries.

This is a serious and potentially deadly condition, especially after major surgeries.

According to Biden’s autobiography, a blood clot dislodged and became lodged in his lung, requiring urgent care and prolonging his hospital stay.

He later revealed he was given less than a 50 per cent chance of surviving this episode.

2003 — Gallbladder surgery and atrial fibrillation

In 2003, Biden underwent routine gallbladder removal surgery.

Around this time, he was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation — a condition characterized by an irregular or rapid heartbeat.

Medical professionals warned it could lead to the formation of small blood clots that could potentially result in cognitive and memory issues.

Thankfully, Biden made a speedy recovery from the condition.

2015 — Cancer Moonshot initiative

In 2015, Biden’s eldest son, Beau, was diagnosed with glioblastoma — an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Beau died at the age of 46, leaving his dad utterly devastated and heartbroken.

Biden channeled his grief into launching Cancer Moonshot, a federal initiative aimed at accelerating cancer research.

2019 — Campaign concerns amid coughing fits

As Biden campaigned for the presidency in 2019, his public appearances were scrutinized for both verbal missteps and signs of ill health.

Reporters noted frequent coughing fits as well as him suffering from a hoarse voice.

While his campaign attributed these issues to seasonal allergies, concerns intensified as Biden, then 76, struggled through debates, prompting speculation about his mental sharpness and stamina.

November 2021 — Removal of polyp

In November 2021, the White House disclosed that Biden had a benign but potentially cancerous polyp removed during a routine colonoscopy.

The polyp was classified as an adenoma, which has the potential to develop into colon cancer if ignored.

But soon after, Biden thankfully received a clean bill of health.

July 2022 — Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Biden experienced “very mild symptoms”, including a runny nose, fatigue and dry cough.

He continued to work in isolation and was prescribed Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment for high-risk patients.

Although he tested negative within days and had seemingly recovered, he tested positive again three days later due to a “Paxlovid rebound”.

This is a phenomenon where symptoms and the virus re-emerge after initially subsiding.

July 2022-February 2023 — Skin cancer admissions and diagnosis

In July 2022, Biden first seemingly revealed his skin cancer battle during a speech he gave about climate change.

He was describing the health effects of emissions from oil refineries near his childhood home in Claymont, Delaware, saying the plant had a bad “legacy” of “toxins, smog and greenhouse emissions.”

As the president continued to speak on how the refineries contributed to the “climate emergency” in the area, he appeared to say he has cancer.

“That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up with have cancer and why for the longest time, Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation.”

Then in February 2023, Biden had a skin lesion removed from his chest, which was later diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma — a type of skin cancer.

Although the treatment was successful and this type of cancer rarely spreads, it marked the first occasion Biden was publicly diagnosed with any form of cancer during his presidency.

But according to White House doctor Kevin O’Connor, Biden had previously had several localized non-melanoma skin cancers removed before taking office.

2023-2024 — Ongoing health monitoring

Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Biden continued to receive regular health assessments.

These consistently affirmed his capacity to serve as president, despite ongoing public scrutiny about his age and mental proficiency.

He managed several health issues typical for someone of his age, including non-valvular atrial fibrillation, obstructive sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy.

But none of these were considered to impair his ability to perform his duties.

February 2024 — Last presidential physical

In February 2024, Biden underwent his final annual presidential physical.

Dr O’Connor ruled he was healthy, robust and fit to execute the duties of the presidency.

June 2024 — Cognitive decline and withdrawal from race

However, just a few months later, in June 2024, Biden’s performance during a televised debate with Donald Trump raised significant public concern.

He appeared frail and struggled to articulate his thoughts, leading to widespread speculation about his cognitive health and fitness for office.

While the disastrous debate performance shocked even his most loyal supporters, his team attributed this to a cold, but alarms were ringing within the West Wing.

The White House denied Biden had any degenerative neurological disease and there was no evidence of cognitive decline beyond normal ageing.

But the incident marked a pivotal moment, ultimately leading to Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race for president, paving the way for Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.

July 2024 — Covid-19

Biden tested positive for Covid-19 just hours after he said he’d only consider dropping out of the presidential race if he was diagnosed with a medical condition that prevented his run.

The then 81-year-oldwas more than an hour and a half late for a scheduled appearance at the annual UnidosUS conference in Las Vegas, Nevada before the organization announced his diagnosis.

Biden shared a statement on his personal X account after the announcement, simply writing, “I’m sick.”

Biden elaborated more on his official presidential account, writing: “I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes.

“I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people.”

May 2025 — Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis

In May 2025, Biden’s office announced that the former president had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones.

This followed tests prompted by urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule, with the diagnosis coming on Friday, May 16.

The Gleason score — a scale indicating the aggressiveness of prostate cancer — was a 9, placing Biden’s cancer at the high-risk end of the scale.

According to Cancer Research UK, a Gleason score of 9 means the cancerous cells “look very abnormal” and that the disease is “likely to grow quickly”.

His office confirmed it was a more “aggressive” form of the disease, but noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management.