Dolph Lundgren thought his cancer was terminal. Considered ending his life; then a new doctor found a crucial misdiagnosis

Swedish actor and filmmaker Dolph Lundgren is opening up about one of the darkest moments of his life. The Rocky IV star has revealed that during his long battle with cancer, he became so convinced that he was running out of options that he considered medical aid in dying. His story took an unexpected turn after a new doctor discovered that his cancer had been misdiagnosed. Scroll down to find more details.

Dolph Lundgren's cancer lasted nearly a decade

Dolph Lundgren, now 68, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015 after doctors found a tumour in his kidney. For years, he continued working while undergoing treatment. Things became more serious in 2020, when doctors found additional tumours. Lundgren underwent surgery and further treatment, but the cancer continued to cause concern. In a 2023 interview reported by The Independent, Lundgren recalled being told he might have only “two to three years” left to live. He said he believed that his life was coming to an end. The actor continued working during the difficult period, appearing in projects including Aquaman and Creed II.

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Dolph Lundgren once considered medical aid in dying

In his new memoir, Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle, Lundgren goes into detail about how hopeless he felt at the time. The actor wrote that he was thinking about ending his life and had even discussed the possibility with his brother, Johan. Dolph Lundgren explained that he was worried about becoming too ill to make the decision himself. His brother was prepared to help him if that point came. The deeply personal revelation shows just how serious Lundgren believed his situation had become.

How a second opinion changed everything for Dolph Lundgren

The turning point came when Lundgren sought another medical opinion. A UCLA oncologist, Dr Alexandra Drakaki, reviewed his case and ordered further testing. The new evaluation indicated that Lundgren had been misdiagnosed with kidney cancer. Doctors instead identified lung cancer with a mutation that could be targeted with specific treatment. That discovery dramatically changed his outlook. Lundgren said his tumours began shrinking after he started the new treatment. He recalled the difference as almost unbelievable, saying the tumours had eventually shrunk by about 90%.

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By November 2024, Dolph Lundgren announced that he was cancer-free after undergoing a lung ablation procedure at UCLA. People reported that the minimally invasive treatment was used to destroy the remaining tumour. Lundgren has spoken about how the experience changed his outlook on life.

Dolph Lundgren's cancer is now a story of uncertainty. A second opinion and an unexpected change in diagnosis. At one point, he believed he was nearing the end of his life. Today, he is cancer-free and using his memoir to reflect on the experience. The biggest lesson appears to be that even when the situation seems hopeless, another medical opinion can sometimes reveal possibilities that were not previously known.