The revelation of former President Joseph Biden’s prostate cancer has left me an unfamiliar basis. For me, as a medical oncologist, most celebrities reveal humiliating but rarely move. However, for those whose uncle is very similar in the middle of a cancer trip, biden disease data is inevitable.
In a statement published on Sunday, the Biden Office revealed that there were stage 4 prostate cancer with “bone metastases.” The disease has been reported to be an “aggressive form” with a Gleason score of 9 (6 to 10 on a scale), reflecting an increased cell anomaly. The former president is now exploring treatment options with his doctors.
Not too long ago, my 74 -year -old uncle found himself in the same place. 2023 Its prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which measures the protein produced by both normal and cancerous gland cells, was 1.5, well less than 4.0 century. However, over the years, despite only unclear symptoms of urine, its level increased to 104.
Prostate and biopsy MRI followed properly and confirmed cancer with a high Gleason score. Shortly after, PET scanning showed that the disease had already spread to various bones and lymph nodes. Like Biden, in other words, my uncle’s ailments were 4 steps during the diagnosis – controlled but incurable.
Because prostate cancer is often slowly growing and regularly evaluated by PSA level, the vast majority (70%in centers of control and prevention) are primarily found at an early stage, still localized to the prostate. However, although such advanced presentations are unlikely during the initial detection, they are not impossible. According to CDC, 8% of prostate cancer is primarily diagnosed when cancer has already spread so widely.
After the unexpected diagnosis of uncle, I had to give him a place to him and his nearest family to absorb the news. And while I would not be the main treatment doctor, I assured him that despite advanced cancer, there was an effective treatment plan.
The former president will receive the same treatment plan my uncle: an individualized strategy that takes into account the specifics of his disease, physical abilities, co -morbidities and quality of life. And, of course, my uncle could have started this trip with optimism, because it is not only his personal faith, but also because of the growing potential of current prostate cancer treatment – hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation and others.
“Treatment of advanced prostate cancer in the last decade has developed a lot,” said Bilawal Ahmed, an oncologist at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and the National Cancer Prostate Cancer Guidelines Commission. “Although stage 4 prostate cancer is not cured, it is very often treated and controlled as a chronic disease. It helps to distract from fear to a long -term care plan based on hope and constant support.”
Here, Biden and others, as my uncle, are able to use the mission of former President Moonshot to reduce excessive investment in investigations during cancer. The efforts that are threatened by the constant reduction of the Trump administration budget are the main springs to expand their arsenal from a disease with a number of deaths and the number of deaths.
“Cancer touches us all,” Biden announced on Social Media on Monday. It is right for me to both personally and professionally. My uncle has made incredible progress on her journey cancer: his PSA shocked treatment and scans do not show active illness. Although no cancer is ever similar, I hope the former president’s path will match the same success.
This article was originally published in msnbc.com