Dolph Lundgren, a well-known actor and the star of the “Rocky” series, spoke candidly during an interview on the program “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” about his ongoing battle with cancer, which he had kept quiet about until 2015 when a kidney tumor was found.
Lundgren misdiagnosed his symptoms as acid reflux in 2020, but it found that more tumors were present, necessitating surgical surgery. “There’s a picture there I was going to direct and star in starting in the fall,” he said, recalling the incident.
When I was in Alabama and ready to film, the doctor called to inform me that they had discovered another liver tumor. When the doctor told Lundgren that the cancer had become so large that it couldn’t be removed, the seriousness of his situation started to seep in.
Lundgren was forced to receive an alternative treatment, and his fiancée, Emma Krokdal, recounted its terrible side effects. He developed severe oral pain, she recalled.
His feet hurt, and he could not consume anything hot, cold, or spicy. His hands also became uncomfortable. He struggled to swallow food. Thus he continued to lose weight.
Lundgren sensed that the doctor who gave the prognosis of two to three years to live had questions about the reliability of that prediction. He said, “I mean you kind of look at your life going, ‘Oh, I’ve had a great life.’ I’ve had a freaking great life.” when reflecting on his life. “With everything I’ve accomplished, I feel like I’ve already lived five lifetimes in one.” He admitted that despite not feeling resentment, he was sad for his loved ones, particularly his children and fiancée.
The outstanding actress Ida Lundgren, the father of Lundgren, shared a heartbreaking chat she had with her father about his possible passing during the interview.
It was a particularly moving moment. “I had a serious discussion with my dad about what would happen if he, you know, went away and whatnot,” she recalled. “That chat was awful.”
Lundgren sought a second opinion from oncologist Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, who performed another biopsy, and this time there was some hope. They were shocked when she found a mutation that allowed the malignancy to be medicated, resulting in a spectacular 90% reduction in tumor size.
There are some areas of his body where the cancer is reacting nicely, according to Drakaki. There are specific lesions that we can no longer see. So, that exceeded my expectations.
Lundgren revealed his current outlook on life while feeling overwhelmed by emotions. He said, “You know you appreciate life a lot more.” You are grateful every day.
His thankfulness for the priceless times he continues to appreciate has grown due to this remarkable experience.
