Former President Joe Biden has completed a round of radiation therapy to treat an aggressive form of prostate cancer, marking a significant milestone in his ongoing battle with the disease. The 82-year-old Democrat, who turns 83 next month, finished several weeks of treatment Monday at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology in Philadelphia, though medical experts caution that completion of radiation does not necessarily signal the end of his treatment journey.
Progress Amid Ongoing Health Challenges
Joe Biden’s spokeswoman, Kelly Scully, confirmed Monday that the former president participated in the traditional bell-ringing ceremony that cancer treatment centers encourage patients to perform upon completing a round of therapy. “He rang the bell today,” Scully stated, referencing the symbolic gesture meant to celebrate progress and encourage other patients undergoing similar treatments.
Ashley Biden, the former president’s daughter, shared the moment with the public through social media, posting a video clip of her father ringing the bell on Instagram. “Rung the bell! Thank you to the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine. We are so grateful!” she wrote. Additional photos showed Joe Biden posing with medical staff and family members, including former first lady Jill Biden and two of their grandchildren. “Dad has been so damn brave throughout his treatment. Grateful,” the younger Biden added in her caption.
However, medical professionals emphasize that the completion of radiation therapy represents just one phase of treatment. Doctors typically require several weeks of post-treatment assessment to evaluate a patient’s progress and determine whether additional interventions, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone treatment, may be necessary. At this time, it remains unclear whether Joe Biden will need to undergo further medical procedures as part of his cancer care regimen.
Diagnosis and Medical Details
The former president Joe Biden first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May, revealing that he had been diagnosed with an advanced stage of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. The announcement prompted widespread concern and renewed scrutiny regarding his health during his time in office. According to a statement from his office, Joe Biden was diagnosed with “prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone” after a small nodule was discovered in the prostate.
The Gleason scoring system is a grading method used to assess prostate cancer, with lower grades indicating cancer cells that more closely resemble normal cells. A score of 9 represents the second-highest grade possible and places Joe Biden in the most aggressive risk category for prostate cancer. The diagnosis raised questions about whether he had faced undisclosed or unknown medical challenges during his presidency, though his office first announced his ongoing radiation treatment on October 11.
Prostate cancer ranks as the second-most common cancer affecting men, according to the Cleveland Clinic, with age serving as the most significant risk factor. The condition offers multiple treatment pathways, including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and hormone therapy. Joe Biden’s medical team opted for radiation as the initial treatment approach for his aggressive form of the disease.
Joe Biden :Life After the White House
Beyond his prostate cancer battle, Biden has faced additional health challenges since leaving office. In September 2025, the former president underwent Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer, a procedure that involves cutting away thin layers of skin until only cancer-free tissue remains in the affected area. The combination of health issues has brought increased attention to Biden’s post-presidential life and wellbeing.
Despite these medical challenges, the former president Joe Biden maintains an active presence in Washington, where he keeps an office, and is frequently spotted aboard Amtrak trains traveling between the nation’s capital and his home in Delaware. True to his reputation as a devoted Amtrak passenger throughout his political career, Joe Biden continues to utilize the rail service for his regular commutes. His office has also begun fundraising efforts and planning for an eventual presidential library and museum that will document his four years in the White House, from 2021 to 2025.
The completion of radiation therapy represents a hopeful development in Joe Biden’s health journey, though medical experts stress the importance of continued monitoring and assessment in the coming weeks. As the former president Joe Biden moves forward with his treatment plan, supporters and well-wishers across the political spectrum have expressed their hopes for his continued recovery.
