De novo metastatic prostate cancer: Understanding Biden’s prognosis and treatment options

How common is a diagnosis of de novo metastatic prostate cancer? In an interview with Urology Times®, prostate cancer expert Adam B. Weiner, MD, breaks down the answer to this question and more in the wake of former President Joe Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis.¹

According to Weiner, while it’s uncommon for men in the US to be diagnosed at this late stage of disease, it can happen in those who have stopped screening.

He explained, “For someone who is the former president's age range, he would certainly be above the typical age range that we might recommend screening, and certainly might be above the age range where we would say someone who was screening might want to consider stopping screening. While it's not common this day and age in the US to be diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, it still does happen.”
Weiner is a urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Weiner also added, “President Biden was diagnosed with de novo metastatic prostate cancer. There are a number of great options for him at this point in terms of treatment.”

Depending on a number of factors, overall survival for patients in this disease state ranges from 5 to 10 years, according to Weiner. Ultimately, though, the decision for what treatment to pursue will be made with a few considerations in mind, including the disease volume, other medical issues, and more.

REFERENCE

1. Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer. CNN. May 19, 2025. Accessed May 22, 2025. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/18/politics/joe-biden-prostate-cancer