Former U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a significant new development in his battle with prostate cancer after his son, Hunter Biden, revealed that the disease has progressed beyond his father’s bones. Hunter discussed his father’s condition during a recent interview, describing the cancer as having metastasized into his bones and further. He also said the illness has been very painful and debilitating in many respects.
The comments provide one of the clearest public updates about Biden’s health since he was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2025. Biden, who is now 83, has continued to receive treatment since his diagnosis. Although he has remained relatively private about his condition, his family members have occasionally spoken about the difficulties he has faced.
Biden Was Diagnosed in 2025
Biden announced in May 2025 that doctors had discovered an aggressive form of prostate cancer after he experienced urinary symptoms. Medical examinations revealed that the cancer had already spread to his bones, meaning it was metastatic and considered advanced disease. His cancer was reported to have a high Gleason score, indicating an aggressive tumor that was more likely to spread. The American Cancer Society confirmed at the time that Biden had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Since then, Biden has undergone cancer treatment, including hormone therapy and radiation.
Treatment Had Previously Been Described Positively
Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, Biden had previously offered an optimistic assessment of his treatment. In July 2026, while announcing that he was writing a memoir about his presidency, Biden said that his cancer treatment was going very well. He also thanked people who had continued to send him messages of support. Reports earlier this year suggested that treatment had been helping manage the disease. A Washington Post report published in July said people close to Biden believed his treatment was working, although the illness and its treatment had left him visibly frail. The latest comments from Hunter Biden therefore provide a more concerning picture of the former president’s condition.
Hunter Biden Describes the Emotional Toll
Speaking about his father’s illness, Hunter became emotional while explaining how difficult it has been for the family to watch Biden deal with the disease. He described the cancer as extremely painful and debilitating, emphasizing that the progression has affected his father’s quality of life. The comments also highlight the challenges faced by families dealing with advanced cancer. Even when treatment is helping control a disease, metastatic cancer can require ongoing medical care and can cause significant physical symptoms. For Biden’s family, the situation has become an important part of their private lives since the diagnosis.
What Does Cancer Spreading Further Mean?
When prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate and reaches distant parts of the body, it is considered metastatic prostate cancer. The bones are one of the most common places for prostate cancer to spread. Bone metastases can cause pain and other complications and generally mean that the disease is no longer considered curable, although it can often be managed with treatment. Treatment options may include hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy and medications designed to strengthen bones or control symptoms. The specific approach depends on the individual patient and how the cancer responds. Experts emphasize that statistics about metastatic prostate cancer cannot predict exactly how long a particular person will live or how they will respond to treatment.
Biden Continues Life After the White House
Despite his illness, Biden has remained involved with his family and has made occasional public appearances since leaving office. His upcoming memoir is expected to bring him back into the public spotlight, but his health remains an important consideration. For now, Hunter Biden’s latest comments suggest that the former president is facing a more difficult stage of his cancer battle than previously indicated. While Biden has continued treatment and previously described its results positively, his son’s account shows that the disease is causing significant physical challenges for the former president and his family.
