It seems like every time you refresh your feed, there’s a new headline about the health of our political leaders. Lately, the big question floating around is what type of cancer does Biden have? It's a heavy topic, and honestly, the answer is a bit more layered than a simple one-liner. We aren't just talking about a single event; we're looking at a history of skin issues and a much more recent, serious diagnosis that came to light after he left the Oval Office.
Let's cut through the noise.
Most people remember the "basal cell" headlines from a few years back. Those were the common skin cancer scares. But in May 2025, the narrative shifted significantly. Biden’s post-presidential office dropped a bombshell: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. And this wasn't just a "watch and wait" situation—it had already spread to his bones.
The Diagnosis That Caught Everyone Off Guard
So, how did we get here? For a long time, the public face of Biden’s health was focused on his "vigorous" nature and the occasional removal of sun-damaged spots. But in the spring of 2025, after experiencing some urinary symptoms, the former president underwent a series of tests.
The results were tough.
Doctors found a nodule on his prostate. Further imaging revealed the cancer had metastasized. To put it in medical terms, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer characterized by a Gleason score of 9.
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Now, if you aren’t a urologist, that number might not mean much. Basically, the Gleason score is how doctors grade how "angry" or abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. It ranges from 6 to 10. A 9 is way up there on the scale, meaning the cells are poorly differentiated and aggressive.
The fact that it reached his bones means it’s Stage 4. That sounds terrifying, and it is serious. But here’s the nuance: his medical team noted the cancer appeared "hormone-sensitive." That’s a massive detail. It means that even though it’s aggressive, it still responds to treatments that block the hormones the cancer needs to grow.
What Type of Cancer Does Biden Have? Breaking Down the History
If you're asking this question, you might also be thinking about the bandages we saw on him during his presidency. It’s important to distinguish between the two very different types of cancer he’s battled.
- Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma):
For years, Biden has had lesions removed. Back in February 2023, while he was still in office, he had a small lesion removed from his chest. It turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s usually slow-growing and rarely spreads. He actually had more Mohs surgery as recently as September 2025 to remove another lesion on his forehead. - Metastatic Prostate Cancer:
This is the "new" and more concerning diagnosis. Unlike the skin cancer, which is localized and easily cut away, this is a systemic issue involving his internal organs and skeletal system.
It’s kinda wild to think about how different these two are. One is a result of "spending a good deal of time in the sun in his youth," as his doctor Kevin O’Connor put it. The other is a complex, late-stage internal disease that often goes undetected in men over 70 because routine screening (the PSA test) is often discouraged for that age group.
The Current Treatment Plan: 2026 Update
As of early 2026, the former president isn't just sitting back. He’s in the thick of a pretty intense treatment regimen.
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In late 2025, reports confirmed he started radiation therapy and hormone treatment. Specifically, he’s likely undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). Since his cancer is hormone-sensitive, the goal is to starve the tumors of testosterone.
He's also been using some of the newer, more precise radiation techniques. We’re talking about things like Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). It’s basically using high-tech scans to make sure the radiation hits the cancer exactly where it lives in the bone, without frying the healthy tissue around it.
Why Wasn't It Caught Earlier?
This is where things get a bit controversial. Some people wonder if there was a cover-up during his time in the White House. Honestly, the medical reality is probably more boring than a conspiracy theory.
Current health guidelines actually recommend against routine PSA screening for men in their 80s. Why? Because many prostate cancers grow so slowly that an older man is likely to die with it rather than from it. The side effects of treatment can sometimes be worse than the disease itself.
But when you have a Gleason 9 cancer, it doesn't play by the slow-growth rules. It moves fast. It’s possible it just wasn't there—or wasn't detectable—during his earlier physicals, and then it made a break for it once he was out of office.
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The Path Forward: What This Means for You
Whether you’re a supporter or a critic, there’s a human element here that’s hard to ignore. Biden has been very open about the "Cancer Moonshot" and his desire to end the disease as we know it, largely motivated by the loss of his son, Beau, to a brain tumor. Now, he’s fighting his own battle.
If there’s an "actionable" takeaway from Biden’s health journey, it’s about advocacy and screening.
- Check your skin: Basal cell carcinoma isn't usually deadly, but it can be disfiguring. If you have a pearly bump or a sore that won't heal, get it looked at.
- Talk about the PSA: If you’re a man (or have one in your life), don’t just assume you should stop screening at 70. Have a real conversation with a urologist about the risks versus the benefits based on your specific health profile.
- Watch for symptoms: Unexplained bone pain, weight loss, or persistent urinary issues shouldn't be ignored, regardless of age.
Biden’s team says he’s facing this with "optimism." Given the advances in hormone therapy and targeted radiation, many men with metastatic prostate cancer are living much longer, higher-quality lives than they did even a decade ago. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The story of what type of cancer does Biden have isn't finished yet. It’s a developing situation involving a mix of common skin issues and a high-stakes battle with an aggressive internal disease. Keeping an eye on the official updates from his office is the only way to stay truly informed as he continues his treatment throughout 2026.
Keep a close watch on your own health screenings—early detection is still the best tool we've got.