Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office confirmed on Sunday.

The announcement follows a series of medical evaluations prompted by urinary symptoms last week.

According to the statement, Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday.

His cancer is characterised by a Gleason score of 9, a measure that indicates a highly aggressive form of the disease.

The cancer has spread to the bone but is classified as hormone-sensitive, meaning it may be treatable through hormone therapy and other targeted treatments.

Biden and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his medical team, the statement added.

The diagnosis comes less than a year after Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, following a widely criticised debate performance that fueled concerns about his physical and cognitive health.

In February 2024, his longtime physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, described him as “fit to serve” following a routine medical examination. Another update in July 2024, shortly after he exited the race, described his health as “excellent.”

Despite the prior assessments, Sunday’s announcement reignited debate over the transparency of Biden’s health status while in office, with critics pointing to possible signs of decline that were not disclosed to the public.

Biden served as the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 and was the oldest person ever elected to the office at the time. He previously served as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

Further updates on his condition and treatment plans are expected in the coming days.