According to an official statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18, an 82-year-old man has been diagnosed with grade group 5 prostate cancer, which corresponds to a Gleason score of 9—a sign of highly aggressive disease. The diagnosis also confirmed bone metastases, indicating that the cancer has already spread beyond the prostate.
The discovery was made following a thorough medical evaluation prompted by worsening urinary symptoms, such as increased frequency and discomfort, which are often early signs of prostate issues. Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, doctors noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning it is likely to respond to hormone therapy.
This offers the patient promising treatment options that can help manage the disease, slow its progression, and improve quality of life. At this stage, the cancer has not been confirmed to have spread to distant organs or regional lymph nodes, though such a risk remains high. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer classified as grade group 5 is among the most aggressive forms and carries a significantly increased likelihood of further spread if not treated promptly.
The diagnosis came as a surprise to some, as the patient had previously received routine health evaluations that did not reveal any critical medical concerns. In fact, during a biopsy conducted in 2023, a small lesion was found and later identified as basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. That lesion was successfully removed, and the patient was not expected to face any long-term issues from it.
The medical team is now working closely with the patient and his family to determine the most appropriate course of treatment, which may include a combination of hormone therapy, targeted radiation, or newer systemic treatments aimed at controlling advanced prostate cancer. Doctors remain cautiously optimistic due to the hormone sensitivity of the tumor, and care plans are being tailored to address the patient’s age, overall health, and personal preferences.
