Dolph Lundgren Considered 'Legal Suicide' After Cancer Misdiagnosis and Three-Year Prognosis

Dolph Lundgren has revealed he considered 'legal suicide' after being told he had only a few years to live, with the 'Rocky IV' star, 68, detailing the darkest period of his cancer battle in his new memoir, 'Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle', released on 22 September 2026.

Lundgren said he discussed the possibility of ending his life with his brother Johan while he was undergoing cancer treatment and feared his condition could eventually leave him unable to make decisions for himself. The revelation came after years of uncertainty surrounding Lundgren's health and a diagnosis that was later reassessed.

Lundgren Was Given a Three-Year Prognosis

Lundgren was initially diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015 after doctors discovered a tumour. For several years, the actor underwent monitoring, but further tumours were discovered in 2020. He subsequently underwent surgery and treatment as the cancer progressed.

As his condition worsened, Lundgren was told that he might have only two or three years left to live. The prognosis affected him deeply. He later described feeling depressed while continuing to work, including on films such as 'The Expendables 4' and 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'.

In his memoir, Lundgren explains that the prospect of becoming seriously incapacitated led him to consider whether he would want to end his life rather than reach that point.

He spoke to his brother about the possibility and considered the legal assisted-dying options available in some European countries. However, the plan never progressed beyond those discussions.

A Second Opinion Changed His Treatment

The course of Lundgren's illness changed after he sought another medical opinion. In 2022, he switched doctors and was treated by Dr Alexandra Drakaki at UCLA. A review of earlier tissue samples identified a rare ALK mutation, changing the understanding of his cancer and allowing doctors to use a different treatment approach.

Lundgren had previously described the second opinion as life-changing. He said his new treatment produced a dramatic response, with his tumours shrinking significantly. The actor has since said he became cancer-free, describing himself as having had no evidence of disease.

Reporting on his memoir says he had reached that point by 2024. The experience has also changed the way Lundgren views the years he spent dealing with cancer.

His Cancer Battle Changed His Perspective

Lundgren had kept much of his cancer journey private for years before discussing it publicly. His earlier accounts of the illness revealed how difficult the treatment had become. He experienced side effects, including weight loss, while doctors initially believed his condition was becoming increasingly difficult to treat.

The actor has said that receiving a terminal prognosis forced him to confront his mortality and reconsider his priorities. His memoir expands on that experience, including the psychological impact of living with the possibility that treatment might no longer work.

Although Lundgren has described considering suicide during the worst period of his illness, his account also centres on what happened after he sought another opinion and found a treatment that changed his prognosis.

From Terminal Prognosis to Cancer-Free

The contrast between Lundgren's initial prognosis and his eventual recovery is at the heart of his story. What he had believed was a terminal diagnosis ultimately led to a reassessment of his cancer and a new treatment strategy.

Rather than facing the limited future he had been warned about, Lundgren was able to continue working and eventually reached a point where doctors found no evidence of active disease.

Now, through 'Fights Worth Fighting', the actor is sharing details of one of the most difficult periods of his life. His account sets out not only the physical challenges of a prolonged cancer battle, but also the emotional consequences of being told that time may be running out, and how a second medical opinion ultimately changed the course of his life.