It’s aggressive. The cells have an ugly, disordered appearance under a microscope. Pathologists gave them a Gleason score of 9 (out of 10) for their likelihood to advance quickly. The cancer has already moved from Biden’s prostate to his bones, which means it cannot be cured — only controlled with drugs.

Former President Joe Biden is facing an “aggressive” case of Stage 4 prostate cancer, his office announced over the weekend in a statement. “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” Biden posted on social media Monday morning.