Biden Underwent Mohs Surgery to Remove Skin Cancer From Forehead, White House Says

Former president Joe Biden recently underwent Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer from his forehead, a White House spokesperson told the Daily Mail, prompting renewed attention to the leader’s medical history after visible bandaging and a cut on his head drew public notice.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a tissue-sparing technique used to remove certain types of skin cancer, including many basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and some melanomas. The procedure involves removing thin layers of skin and examining them under a microscope during the operation, repeating the process until no cancer cells remain at the margins, a method that aims to maximize tumor removal while preserving healthy tissue.

The White House confirmation came after Biden, 82, was seen stepping out of a church in Delaware earlier this month with what appeared to be a sizable cut on his forehead. He had also been photographed in August with a bandage on the same spot while attending the funeral for former Delaware governor and U.S. Representative Mike Castle.

It is not known which specific form of skin cancer was removed in the recent procedure. Biden previously had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest in 2023, and first lady Jill Biden underwent Mohs surgery for a basal cell carcinoma near her eye that same year, according to public disclosures at the time.

Mohs surgery is commonly performed on areas where cosmetic and functional preservation is important, such as the face, because the technique typically leaves smaller surgical defects and has high cure rates for appropriate tumors. The procedure is most often done under local anesthesia in outpatient settings; recovery times vary depending on the size and location of the removed tissue and whether additional reconstruction is needed.

Skin cancers are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers, particularly in older adults and people with a history of significant sun exposure. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form, grows slowly and rarely spreads, while squamous cell carcinoma can be more aggressive. Melanoma, less common overall, is the most likely to metastasize if not caught early.

The White House did not provide additional medical details or a timeline for the surgery beyond confirming it had taken place. Officials have previously released summaries of the former president’s medical evaluations and procedures; those public disclosures included the 2023 removal of a basal cell carcinoma from Biden’s chest.

Clinicians and dermatologic surgery guidelines emphasize early detection and removal of suspicious lesions. Mohs surgery is widely recommended when tumors occur on the face or other anatomically sensitive areas or when a prior treatment has failed or margins are unclear. Outcomes and follow-up depend on the pathology results and the need for any additional treatments or monitoring.

The White House comment to the Daily Mail ended a period of speculation following the recent photographs. No further statements about Biden’s broader health status or follow-up care have been released as of this report.