Dolph Lundgren Health Problems: What Happened to Dolph Lundgren? Dolph Lundgren Reveals He Has Been Battling Cancer for Eight Years
by Sona | Updated May 12, 2023
Who is Dolph Lundgren?
Dolph Lundgren, whose real name is Hans Lundgren, was born on November 3, 1957, in Spånga. He is a prominent Swedish actor, filmmaker, and martial artist. Lundgren gained fame in 1985 with his role as Ivan Drago, the imposing Soviet boxer, in the movie Rocky IV. He has since appeared in over 80 films, primarily in the action genre.
In the early 1980s, Lundgren earned a degree in chemical engineering from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney in 1982. Lundgren is also a highly skilled martial artist and holds a 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin karate. He was the European champion in 1980-81.
Lundgren's parents are Sigrid Birgitta , a language teacher, and Karl Hugo Johan Lundgren (1923–2000), who worked as an engineer (M.Sc.) and economist (MBA) for the Swedish government.
Dolph Lundgren Health Problems
Dolph Lundgren, the renowned Hollywood actor famous for his roles in Rocky IV and Creed 2, recently shared his battle with cancer, which he has been fighting for the past eight years. Lundgren believes that his previous use of steroids may have contributed to his condition. During an interview with Graham Bensinger on his show "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," Lundgren discussed his health struggles.
He disclosed that he was initially diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015. After a period of remission, the cancer returned in 2020, and one doctor gave him a prognosis of only a few years to live. However, seeking a second opinion, Lundgren pursued an alternative treatment, which has led to the shrinkage of his tumors. In 2020, Lundgren made his cancer battle public while referencing a memorable line from Rocky IV.
Still wearing a hospital gown after surgery, he stated, "It's the day after my surgery, they took out one tumor, then they took out another two they found and another three small ones. Hopefully, it's cleaned out. If it dies, it dies." During the interview with Bensinger, Lundgren expressed uncertainty about the impact of his past steroid use on his current condition.
He revealed that he had used steroids on and off for approximately ten years in the 80s and 90s. Lundgren acknowledged the possibility of a connection between testosterone therapy and cancer and reflected on the choices he made earlier in his career, wondering if they were mistakes.
What Happened to Dolph Lundgren?
During an interview on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," Dolph Lundgren, aged 65, revealed that he has been battling cancer since 2015, when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney. In 2020, Lundgren initially believed he was experiencing acid reflux, but it turned out to be additional tumors that required surgical removal. While preparing to shoot a movie in Alabama, he received a call from his doctor informing him of another tumor in his liver, which had grown to an inoperable size. This news made him realize the seriousness of his condition.
The alternative treatment options had challenging side effects, as described by Lundgren's fiancée, Emma Krokdal. He experienced soreness in his mouth, hands, and feet, and had difficulty consuming warm, cold, or spicy foods, resulting in weight loss. Lundgren received a prognosis of two to three years to live, although he sensed that the doctor who delivered the news was not entirely convinced of that timeline.
Lundgren sought a second opinion from oncologist Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, who performed another biopsy and discovered a mutation that made the cancer treatable with medication. This treatment has resulted in a significant reduction in tumor size, with some lesions becoming undetectable. Dr. Drakaki expressed optimism about the progress, stating that the cancer has responded well in certain areas beyond expectations. Lundgren became emotional while discussing his current state of health.
Dolph Lundgren Reveals He Has Been Battling Cancer for Eight Years
Renowned Hollywood actor Dolph Lundgren has recently disclosed that he has been courageously fighting cancer for the past eight years, potentially linked to his past use of steroids. In 2015, Lundgren underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his kidney, but subsequent scans in 2020 revealed the presence of more tumors.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," Lundgren shared that six tumors were successfully removed during his operation in 2020, referencing his famous line from Rocky IV, saying, "If it dies, it dies." However, the following year, he received distressing news that a tumor in his liver was inoperable, and doctors estimated he had only two to three years left to live.
Additionally, Lundgren was informed about the presence of tumors in his lungs, stomach, spine, and kidneys. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Lundgren reflected on his life and expressed gratitude for the remarkable experiences he has had. He mentioned feeling concern for his children, fiancée, and loved ones, rather than bitterness towards his own circumstances.
Seeking another opinion, Lundgren pursued additional treatment that resulted in a significant reduction in tumor size, with a decrease of 20 to 30 percent within three months. The tumor in his liver notably diminished by 90 percent, and ongoing efforts are being made to eliminate the remaining scar tissue. While he is not in remission, Lundgren is currently receiving medication to keep the tumors under control for as long as possible.
Dolph Lundgren Terminal Cancer
Dolph Lundgren, known for his roles in movies like Rocky IV and upcoming films The Expendables 4 and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, has recently opened up about his battle with cancer. He disclosed that he has been fighting terminal lung cancer for the past eight years, a diagnosis he chose to keep private until now.
Lundgren's cancer journey began when a tumor was discovered in his kidney eight years ago, for which he received treatment. However, over time, the cancer spread to his lungs, spine, liver, and stomach. In 2020, he received the devastating news that his cancer was terminal. Initially given a prognosis of only 2-3 years to live, Lundgren decided to seek another opinion from oncologist Dr. Alexandra Drakaki at UCLA Medical Center.
He underwent a newer form of medicinal treatment while filming his recent projects. Remarkably, the treatment has shown significant success, with the tumors shrinking by 90%.Lundgren expressed gratitude for the fulfilling life he has lived and, although not bitter, felt sorry for his children and fiancé in the face of his terminal diagnosis. By sharing his journey, he hopes to raise awareness and inspire others facing similar challenges.
Dolph Lundgren Education
Dolph Lundgren pursued his education in chemical engineering, earning a degree from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in the early 1980s. Subsequently, he obtained a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney in 1982. Alongside his academic pursuits, Lundgren displayed his dedication to martial arts, achieving the rank of 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin karate.
He showcased his skills by becoming the European champion in 1980-81.During his time in Sydney, Lundgren had an intriguing career shift, serving as a bodyguard for Jamaican singer Grace Jones, with whom he also developed a personal relationship. His academic achievements and martial arts prowess earned him a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to MIT, prompting his move to Boston.
However, due to various circumstances, Lundgren returned to Sweden to fulfill his mandatory year of military service. Once his military service was completed, he resumed his chemical engineering studies at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, eventually graduating with a degree in the field. Throughout this period, he continued to devote significant time to refining his karate skills, culminating in him achieving his second dan black belt in 1978.
Lundgren pursued further education at the University of Sydney, earning a master's degree in chemical engineering.Dolph Lundgren's educational journey encompassed a blend of academic excellence and martial arts achievement, showcasing his multifaceted talents and relentless pursuit of personal growth.
How Old is Dolph Lundgren?
Dolph Lundgren, also known as Hans Lundgren, is a Swedish actor, producer, performer, and martial artist. He was born on November 3, 1957, which makes him 65 years old as of 2023. Dolph Lundgren was born as Hans Lundgren in Spånga, Sweden. He grew up in a Lutheran family with two sisters, and he later adopted the nickname "Dolph," short for "Rudolph."
Lundgren has openly spoken about the difficult relationship he had with his father, who was verbally and physically abusive towards him. This challenging upbringing played a role in motivating him to excel in the field of martial arts.
Dolph Lundgren Health Problems: FAQs
Dolph Lundgren, born Hans Lundgren, is a Swedish actor, filmmaker, and martial artist. He gained fame for his role as Ivan Drago in the movie Rocky IV and has appeared in numerous action films throughout his career.
During an interview on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," Dolph Lundgren, aged 65, revealed that he has been battling cancer since 2015, when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney.
Dolph Lundgren was born on November 3, 1957, which makes him 65 years old as of 2023.
Yes, Dolph Lundgren revealed that he has been battling cancer for the past eight years. He was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, but he sought treatment and has experienced significant success in shrinking the tumors.
As of now, Lundgren is set to appear in The Expendables 4 and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, both scheduled for release in the future.