Dolph Lundgren, known for his role in Rocky IV and upcoming appearances in The Expendables 4 and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, has disclosed an eight-year battle with cancer that was once considered terminal. The actor shared his story for the first time in an interview on the syndicated series In Depth With Graham Bensinger.
Lundgren was initially diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. After surgery, he remained symptom-free for about five years, but during a visit to Sweden in 2020, doctors discovered additional tumours in his kidney and liver. At that point, he was given a terminal diagnosis with an estimated two to three years to live. Reflecting on the news, Lundgren said, 'I’ve had a great life. I’ve lived like five lifetimes in one. So it wasn’t like I felt bitter but I felt sorry for my kids and my fiancé.'
Seeking a second opinion, Lundgren consulted Dr Alexandra Drakaki of UCLA Medical Center, who placed him on a newer medicinal treatment. The actor underwent this therapy while filming both The Expendables 4 and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and reports that it has reduced the size of the tumours by 90 per cent. He now requires further surgery but is optimistic that after the operation, there will be 'no cancer activity.'
Dr Drakaki expressed hope that Lundgren's survival rate could now be measured in 'years' rather than 'months.' She stated, 'My hope and goal is to try to keep him on this medication as long as possible and just keep getting biopsies as things change within his body to try to identify newer targets for treatment.' Lundgren added, 'You just appreciate being lucky enough to be alive.'
