Washington: US President Joe Biden had a skin lesion removed from his chest in February that was a basal cell carcinoma – a common form of skin cancer – and no further treatment is needed, White House physician Kevin O’Connor said on Friday.
All cancerous tissue was successfully removed, the White House physician said in a letter, adding that Biden will continue dermatologic surveillance as part of his ongoing healthcare but the site had healed.
Last month, doctors declared Biden, 80, healthy and “fit for duty” after a physical examination. They said at the time that a small lesion had been removed from his chest and sent for a biopsy.
Kevin O’Connor, the White House doctor who has served as Mr. Biden’s longtime physician, said “all cancerous tissue was successfully removed” during the President’s routine physical on February 16.
Dr. O’Connor said the site of the removal on Mr. Biden’s chest has “healed nicely” and the President will continue regular skin screenings as part of his routine health plan.
Basal cells are among the most common and easily treated forms of cancer — especially when caught early. Dr. O’Connor said they don’t tend to spread like other cancers, but could grow in size, which is why they are removed.
