Former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to his bones and other areas, according to his son Hunter Biden. The development points to a more advanced form of the disease in which cancer cells move from the original tumor to different parts of the body. Hunter Biden described the situation to a leading media outlet on Friday, calling it “very painful” and “very debilitating” and noting that the family had to watch him suffer.
Bone metastasis occurs when tumor cells travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to establish new growths within the skeletal structure. Prostate cancer has a particular tendency to target the skeleton once it becomes advanced. According to the American Cancer Society, when this spread happens, it often affects the spine, pelvis, and ribs.
Cancer cells interfere with the normal cycle of bone formation and breakdown. As they grow inside the bone, they create weak spots that are more susceptible to fractures. The Biden family noted in May 2025 that his diagnosis was “high-grade” and had already metastasized to the bones. Earlier, First Lady Jill Biden stated that the spread into the bones meant her husband’s situation was much different from prostate cancer that remains contained within the gland.
By September 2025, the family announced that Biden had finished radiation and hormone therapy. The American Cancer Society notes that radiation therapy can be very helpful in easing the pain caused by cancer in one or a few specific areas of bone. Other therapies, such as medications designed to protect bone health, can help prevent complications related to weak bones, while medications that help relieve pain are also a key component of supportive care.
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Metastatic prostate cancer is not considered curable, but it can be treated to help control the disease and ease symptoms. Doctors may use hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted treatments, and medicines designed to protect bone health depending on the individual case.
One of the first signs that cancer has spread to the skeleton is bone pain. This pain may initially come and go and can worsen at night. As the disease progresses, the discomfort can become more constant and get worse with exercise. Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, an oncologist at the CK Birla Hospital Delhi, says the pain is often due to changes in the bone structure and surrounding tissue caused by the tumors.
These changes may also irritate nerves around the bone while causing inflammation. A cancer in the spine may sometimes compress the spinal cord, leading to severe pain, numbness, or weakness. Patients can also experience bones becoming so weak that they break. Additionally, bone metastasis can cause abnormally high levels of calcium or hypercalcaemia in the blood.
The progression of the disease creates a physical reality where the body’s structural integrity is compromised. When cancer cells invade the skeleton, they disrupt the balance between bone resorption and formation. This disruption creates a cycle of weakness and pain that impacts daily function. The Biden family has shared that these complications have made the former president’s situation difficult to witness.
