Biden had 'benign' but potentially precancerous polyp removed during his routine colonoscopy last week, White House physician says
President Joe Biden had a 'benign' polyp removed during his routine colonoscopy last week, the White House announced Wednesday.
The polyp, identified as a 'tubular adenoma,' was a 'slow-growing, but thought to be pre-cancerous lesion,' White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor said in a letter released Wednesday, adding that no more action is required at this time.
Biden, 79, was pronounced 'healthy' and 'vigorous' and fit for duty after his routine physical exam.
'President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,' O'Connor wrote in his briefing dated November 19 - one day before the president's birthday when he turned 79.
President Joe Biden, 79, had a three-millimeter 'benign' polyp removed during his routine colonoscopy last week
He also indicated the president had a similar polyp removed in 2008 and that it was 'tubular adenoma'
The President's physician of 13 years, Kevin O'Connor, (pictured) pronounced 'healthy' and 'vigorous' and fit for duty after his routine physical exam
The pair pictured together in 2017
The polyp was similar to one the president had removed in 2008, O'Connor said in the letter, which is dated Tuesday.
'The President has never had colon cancer,' O'Connor's report said.
It was recommended that Biden should have another colonoscopy in seven to 10 years, along with routine surveillance.
His 'throat clearing' was also examined - which many members of the public have pointed out since Biden took office. O'Conner alluded that 'greater attention is directed toward his public engagements' than before and could cause Biden to feel the need to clear his throat more often.
The physician also ran a series of tests and found that the president's 'throat clearing' could also be due to gastroesophageal reflux and found that there 'were zero tumors or polyps, and his vocal cord appearance and function were normal.'
O'Connor also looked into Biden's 'stiffen gait.'
The president admitted to experience 'stiffness' in the morning. The physician also amounted the stiffen to several 'orthopedic and sports-related injuries over the years' and a fracture in his right foot from a year ago.
His stiffness was mainly found to be due to aging after undergoing a series of tests.
The public became increasingly concerned with the president's health recently after he was seen several times looking confused and tripping up the steps of Air Force One.
The president tripped up the stairs of the plane at Joint Base Andrews in early November, which the White House later alluded to the heavy wind at the time.
Two weeks later, Biden was boarding Air Force One as he stiffly walked up the steps in Pittsburgh.
A day earlier, he had referred to Vice President Kamala Harris - who was historically the first female president for 85 minutes while Biden underwent his colonoscopy - as 'President Harris.'
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