A skin lesion removed from President Joe Biden's chest last month turned out to be basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, his doctor, Kevin O'Connor, said yesterday.
"All cancerous tissue was successfully removed" during the president's annual physical on February 16, and "no further treatment is required" after the wound healed well, the doctor added.
O'Connor said basal cell carcinoma "doesn't tend to spread or metastasize like other cancers, but they can get bigger," so it's removed.
Other medical sources consulted by La Vanguardia indicated that basal cell carcinoma, caused by certain types of skin and by solar radiation, is the most frequent skin cancer and only spreads locally if it is not removed. But its complete removal cures it, they added.
It is, in short, a relatively mild cancer -as long as it is eradicated-; especially in comparison with melanoma, the most dangerous among those with skin
The White House did not report the removal when he underwent his routine health exam two weeks ago. The corresponding statement concluded: "President Biden is a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old man, fit to successfully carry out the duties of the Presidency, including the duties of Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander-in-Chief."
Regarding the small intervention carried out, the Government obviously chose to wait for the results of the biopsy that was made of the removed tissue.
In that report, O'Connor did allude to the leader's mild acid reflux problems, which cause him to cough and force him to clear his throat frequently when he speaks.
The doctor also mentioned then that Biden suffers from arthritis. And he pointed to a broken foot three years ago as the cause of her stiff gait.
The tests on February 16 included "a detailed neurological examination" that showed that Biden has not suffered from any disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or stroke, in recent months.
