Actor Dolph Lundgren Overcame Cancer Misdiagnosis
A corrected diagnosis at age 68 changed the treatment path for the actor after his tumors returned.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cancer
After a 2015 kidney cancer diagnosis, Dolph Lundgren experienced a tumor recurrence in 2020. A medical review at UCLA Health identified he actually had lung cancer, allowing for a shift in treatment that led to him being cancer-free by 2024.
Why it matters
This case illustrates how misidentified cancer cell mutations can render treatments ineffective and underscores the critical importance of a second opinion or review when therapy fails to produce results.
A clinical review conducted at UCLA Health identified a specific lung cancer mutation in tumor samples that had previously been categorized as kidney cancer. This correction allowed the patient to receive lung-cancer-specific medications rather than the ineffective kidney cancer therapies.
The players
Dolph Lundgren
An actor who documented his experience with a cancer misdiagnosis and his subsequent recovery in his memoir.
Dr. Alexandra Drakaki
An oncologist at UCLA Health who identified the correct cancer diagnosis through a review of tumor pathology.
UCLA Health
A medical institution where the corrected cancer diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment took place.
The details
The patient's treatment plan was altered after Dr. Alexandra Drakaki identified specific cellular mutations typically associated with lung cancer rather than kidney cancer. These mutations dictate how the cancer responds to targeted therapies, explaining why previous treatments were ineffective. By targeting the correct mutation, the patient was able to achieve a state of remission.
Timeline
Lundgren was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015.
More tumors were found in Lundgren in 2020.
Lundgren announced he was cancer-free in 2024.
Lundgren published his memoir on September 22, 2026.
Health Landscape
This case highlights the ongoing role of UCLA Health and similar specialized oncology centers in rectifying complex diagnostic errors. It reflects the broader medical shift toward precision oncology, where identifying specific cellular mutations is critical for choosing effective treatment paths.
If you are undergoing treatment for a serious condition and not seeing expected improvement, discussing a pathology review with your physician is a reasonable step. Seeking a second opinion at a specialized research center can provide clarity when initial treatment protocols appear ineffective.
The takeaway
The experience of Dolph Lundgren serves as a reminder that cancer treatments depend entirely on the accuracy of the underlying diagnosis. If you face a complex diagnosis, consider asking your physician about the potential benefits of having tumor pathology re-evaluated at a major cancer center.
Further reading
Learn more about advancements in precision oncology by visiting the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV Insider.
