Biden receiving radiation and hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer

Former US president Joe Biden is receiving radiation and hormone therapy as part of a new phase of treating the aggressive form of prostate cancer he was diagnosed with after leaving office, a spokesperson said.

“As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, president Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” said Biden aide Kelly Scully.

The 82-year-old Democrat left office in January after he had dropped his bid for re-election six months earlier following a disastrous debate against Republican Donald Trump amid concerns about Mr Biden’s age, health and mental fitness.

Mr Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris, who was Mr Biden’s vice president.

In May, Mr Biden’s post-presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bone. The discovery came after he reported urinary symptoms.

Prostate cancers are graded for aggressiveness using what is known as a Gleason score. The scores range from six to 10, with eight, nine and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively.

Mr Biden’s office said his score was nine, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.

Last month, Mr Biden had surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead.