Sadly, former President Joe Biden’s health has been a matter of public concern due to his diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer. This stern diagnosis occurred following consistent escalation in his PSA levels. PSA, Prostate Specific Antigen, is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland, often used as an indicator of prostate health. The journey of this illness for Biden started in June 2024 when a routine blood testing before a bi-annual visit indicated a significant increase in his PSA level.
It’s essential to note that a normal PSA range is between 0.1 and 4.0. An elevated level happened for Biden back in November 2011, which was still within the upper limit of the acceptable range. However, by January 2014, the scenario took a turn for the worse as the levels rose to an alarming point. Over the next two years, these PSA levels fluctuated, but alarmingly, dramatically surged during the period from 2020 to 2023.
Additional PSA tests in 2024 showed a disturbingly elevated level which was more than three times above the normal range. This prompted additional forms of testing, including the 4K scoring which showed the risk of severe cancer had dipped from 2016 to 2024. While this might seem like an encouraging find, further investigation revealed a disheartening view of Mr. Biden’s health status.
Scanning the prostate revealed it was significantly enlarged, almost twice the size of a normal one. Furthermore, two small areas of concern were evident. One of these areas had a strikingly high 50 percent chance of being cancerous, while the other was indeed confirmed to be malignant via biopsy. Unfortunately, this is the commonest form of cancer in men, adenocarcinoma.
The diagnosis confirmed that Biden’s cancer was restricted within the prostate, with no evidence of enlarged lymph nodes. Alas, Biden’s condition had already progressed significantly, as the cancer had metastasized to his bones, rendering it incurable, albeit treatable. When the high PSA levels and the lesion’s scoring were combined, the prognosis was grim. It was classified under the unfavorable risk group, suggesting the cancer might spread within the next five to ten years.
Two primary therapeutic options were considered, namely prostate surgery or radiation treatment. However, due to Biden’s advancing age, the decision swayed towards radiation treatment combined with hormonal therapy. The objective of hormone therapy is to reduce testosterone levels in the body, thereby starving the cancerous lesions and slowing their growth.
As part of the treatment journey, a consultation took place with a radiation oncologist in November 2024. The consultation covered the potential side effects of the treatment and offered Biden a chance to participate in an ongoing study on prostate cancer treatment. Radiation treatment typically has several side effects such as urinary discomfort, frequency, or irritation; diarrhoea, bowel irritation, and sexual difficulties. Hormone therapy could also lead to decreased energy levels, mood changes, and hot flashes.
The standard treatment course for this form of cancer is usually 28 radiation treatments. However, Biden opted for an alternate, more robust regimen involving five intense treatments likely to yield stronger side effects, while the hormonal therapy was eschewed.
On February 24, the inaugural meeting of the radiation oncology team took place, with preparations including being fitted with forms to keep Biden’s legs still during treatments and getting three pinpoint tattoos to guide the technicians operating the MRI and radiation beam. Metallic markers were previously installed to help pinpoint the cancerous lesions within the prostate.
The subsequent four visits were reasonably spaced and depended on the time taken to prepare for the radiation treatment. These visits, where full bladder was a requirement until the completion of the day’s treatment, did not cause any significant discomfort or changes in Biden’s health. On March 6, his treatment course was finally completed.
Immediately following the conclusion of treatment, a blood test confirmed Biden’s PSA level had normalized for the first time since 2011. Besides, the most recent follow-up showed an even lower PSA level, which can be regarded as a small consolatory news amidst all the gloom.
Despite these positive results, the overall prognosis remains uncertain. However, this grim tale serves as an urgent reminder of the importance of routine PSA tests, especially for older men. Seeing your PSA levels climb should prompt a discussion with your doctor about monitoring or further testing.
This unfortunate scenario highlights the critical role of both primary care doctors and urologists in early diagnosis and prevention. After all, as the Biden case shows, the sooner the disease is detected, the better the results tend to be, even if the outcomes are not perfect.
The post Biden’s Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: The Unhealthy Truth of His Leadership appeared first on Real News Now.
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