News - World: Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his office.

According to the statement, Biden was diagnosed with "prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."

The statement noted that this is a "more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management."

"The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," his office said.

Metastasis means the cancer has spread from its primary site to other tissues in the body.

A spokesperson for Biden’s office said they have no additional comment beyond the statement.

The former president and his family are meeting with doctors and considering "multiple treatment options," including hormone treatment for the cancer, according to a source familiar with Biden's and his family's thinking.

Prostate cancer is common, second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer affecting males, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The source said Biden is currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, but it is unclear where the former president will receive treatment.

But Biden’s prostate cancer had a Gleason score of 9 (Group grade 5). This means the cancer is more likely than others to grow and spread.

“Gleason nine is by definition, aggressive, but you don’t know how bad it is unless you know what the PET scan looks like,” said Dr. Alan Tan, genitourinary section lead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Tan said that this type of prostate cancer is not rare. “This is the most common thing I see in my clinic,” he said. “This is bread and butter genitourinary oncology.”

President Donald Trump said he was "saddened to hear about" Biden's diagnosis.

"We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Source: Press TV