Dr. Siegel Questions Why Biden’s Cancer Wasn’t Found Earlier

Fox News Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Marc Siegel expressed deep concern following the announcement that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. According to a statement from Biden’s office, the cancer is classified as a Gleason score of 9 and Grade Group 5, indicating the most aggressive form of the disease.

Gleason 9 with a Group 5 rating means the cancer has the highest risk of spreading, which it already has, as it has metastasized to the bone. Siegel noted that Biden is presenting with urinary symptoms, which typically only appear when the disease is in an advanced stage. He explained that most prostate cancers are asymptomatic in early stages, and when symptoms like urinary issues emerge, it often means the cancer has progressed significantly.

The seriousness of the diagnosis raised questions about how a former president, presumably receiving the most thorough medical oversight, could have developed such an advanced condition undetected. Siegel said he was taken aback by the extent of the disease and very concerned, adding that it would be surprising if close screening hadn’t been conducted. He emphasized that in the medical community, prostate cancer is the one cancer in men that is closely monitored due to its high prevalence and potential severity.

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Hormone Therapy Likely, But Prognosis Depends on Response

According to Siegel, the treatment plan will likely involve hormone suppression therapy, since this type of cancer is often testosterone-dependent. He mentioned therapies such as Lupron, which stops testosterone production, and Casodex, which blocks testosterone from binding. He added that it is not uncommon for doctors to combine multiple approaches—surgery to remove the prostate, radiation, and hormone therapy—especially in aggressive cases like this one.

Siegel estimated that the five-year survival rate for a patient with this kind of advanced, metastatic prostate cancer is around 30 to 40 percent, depending on how well the patient responds to treatment. Once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, the chances of a cure drop significantly, though treatments have improved in recent years.

Trump Issues Statement Wishing Biden Well

Following the news of Biden’s diagnosis, former President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social offering sympathy and support to the Biden family:

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“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.”

In a rare moment of civility amid ongoing political division, Trump’s message stood out for its tone and direct acknowledgment of Biden’s health battle.

Missed Warning Signs and Treatment Outlook

Siegel also addressed the reliability of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing, which is commonly used for early detection. He explained that while PSA is a valuable tool, it is not always perfect. Some aggressive forms of cancer can develop even when PSA levels appear normal. He added that rising PSA levels are typically followed by an MRI, which has become much more precise and can locate suspicious areas for biopsy before symptoms arise.

In Biden’s case, the fact that he is already experiencing symptoms and has bone metastases strongly suggests the cancer went undetected for some time. Siegel said it’s concerning that the disease had reached this point before detection and that age alone—Biden is 82—is a significant risk factor. He noted that over 80 percent of men over 80 have some prostate cancer cells in their bodies, and that this is a cancer doctors especially watch for in older men.

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Looking ahead, Siegel said the side effects of treatment may include fatigue and bone pain, and that hormone therapies can make patients feel listless. He added that radiation is often used to reduce pain from bone metastases. The coming months will be critical in determining how well Biden responds to therapy. Siegel said that typically, doctors look to see how responsive the patient is within the first three to six months of treatment. While it’s encouraging that the cancer may be hormone-responsive, the aggressive nature of the diagnosis is deeply concerning.