“Rocky IV” action star Dolph Lundgren, 68, admits his iconic physique from the 1980s was partly achieved through steroid use, later reflecting on whether those choices may have influenced his kidney cancer diagnosis in 2015 on a podcast.
Research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Oncotarget says high-dose anabolic steroid abuse can increase an individual’s cancer risk, noting disruptions in testosterone production and hormonal changes that may fuel carcinogenic processes, with certain steroids suspected of promoting testicular tumors.
Lundgren’s diagnosis came in 2015, when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney. After surgery and a biopsy confirmed it was cancer, he continued working in film, even as his health fluctuated. For several years, the disease remained at bay—until symptoms he mistook for acid reflux revealed something far more serious.
As his condition worsened, he got a second opinion, where he was introduced to another treatment and a renewed sense of hope. “Within three months, things were shrinking by 20 to 30 percent.” By the end of 2024, Lundgren was declared cancer-free.
Dolph Lundgren, 68, rose to fame in the 1980s with his breakout role in “Rocky IV,” but the actor now admits that the sculpted physique audiences admired came in part from steroid use. Decades later, after battling kidney cancer, Lundgren reflects on whether those choices may have influenced his health journey, which began in 2015.
“You always think about your health and your healthcare when you get cancer, and maybe this is just me, but you sort of blame yourself for it,” Lundgren shared on the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast.
He acknowledged experimenting with steroids during the 1980s and 1990s.
“I tried steroids back in the 80s and 90s, but I don’t know if it had something to do with the cancer, although it struck me that it could have had something to do with it.”
Lundgren’s career skyrocketed after “Rocky IV,” leading to starring roles in “The Punisher” and “Masters of the Universe,” and later appearances in films like “Creed II” in 2018. His martial arts background and imposing presence made him a natural fit for action roles, but maintaining that image often meant keeping a muscular, larger-than-life look.
“I was on and off steroids for about ten years, maybe from the mid-80s doing Rocky until about the mid-90s. It depended on the type of movie I had made. If it was something physical,” he explained.
(@dolphlundgren/Instagram)
Eventually, Lundgren says he stepped away from steroids as his career shifted and his roles no longer required him to “take [his] shirt off in every scene.”
Research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Oncotarget in 2018 assessed the potential impact anabolic androgenic steroids can have on a person’s cancer risk.
The researchers concluded that, “The negative role of AAS in supraphysiological dosage impairs the expression of enzymes involved in testosterone biosynthesis, and the side effects on the natural synthesis of testosterone play a potential role in the hormonal changes/regulation and could be suspected to be at the base of certain carcinogenic mechanisms.”
In essence, the research draws a connection to elevated cancer risk in men abusing steroids at high doses because it can interfere with the body’s natural testosterone production, create hormonal changes that may fuel cancer, and certain steroids (like nandrolone and stanozolol) are suspected of directly promoting testicular tumors.
The peer-reviewed journal Pharmacological Research also published a study studying whether growth hormone/IGF-1, anabolic steroids, or erythropoietin poses a cancer risk.
The authors warned that the danger may be greater in athletes who use these substances at extremely high doses, often for long periods of time. Because they are frequently combined with other drugs, both legal and illegal, the full range of harmful effects—including cancer—remains difficult to predict.
((A Big Eye-Opener))
Later in life, when cancer posed a formidable foe no fictional adversary could match on-screen, Lundgren says his eight-year cancer journey was a “big eye-opener,” he explained to People Magazine.
“If I hadn’t had cancer, I may have done a crazy stunt and killed myself that way, because I was just a little bit too intense before.”
(@dolphlundgren/Instagram)
Lundgren’s diagnosis came in 2015, when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney. After surgery and a biopsy confirmed it was cancer, he continued working in film, even as his health fluctuated. For several years, the disease remained at bay—until symptoms he mistook for acid reflux revealed something far more serious.
“I did an MRI, and the doctors found a few more tumors around that area,” he recalled. “Six tumors were removed, but then another tumor was discovered.”
When surgery was no longer an option, Lundgren began systemic therapy. The side effects were brutal: dramatic weight loss, chronic diarrhea, mouth sores, and persistent pain in his hands and feet. Still, he kept acting—until a London-based doctor urged him to reconsider his priorities.
“I asked him how long you think I have left, and he said, I think he said two to three years,” Lundgren shared on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger.”
“But I could tell in his voice that he thought it was less. I thought it was it. I wasn’t bitter about it, but I felt sorry for my kids, fiancé, and people around me.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Dolph Lundgren attends The BAFTA TV Tea Party presented by BBC Studios, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on September 13, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Determined not to give up, Lundgren sought a second opinion. The new doctor offered a different treatment plan—and a renewed sense of hope.
“Within three months, things were shrinking by 20 to 30 percent,” Lundgren said. “When I shared with my family, it was emotional. In 2022, I was watching these medications do their thing, and the tumors shrank by 90 percent.”
By the end of 2024, Lundgren was declared cancer-free.
In the early stages, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, what a patient experiences can differ widely depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location. Below are some potential symptoms and side effects that individuals with kidney cancer might encounter:
Blood in the urine
Lower back pain on one side
Tiredness and fatigue
Weight loss
Reduced appetite
Lumps or growths on the lower back or the side
High temperature and fever that doesn’t seem to go away
Anemia: low counts of red blood cells
Surgery is often the primary approach for treating kidney tumors, with the goal of fully removing the cancer. However, this option is typically considered when the tumor is still localized—meaning it’s a manageable size and hasn’t spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. There are several types of surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer, including:
Radical nephrectomy
Partial nephrectomy
Cytoreductive nephrectomy
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery
Mastectomy
Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer: What You Should Know
Kidney cancer can be treated through a range of approaches—each designed to target cancer cells in different ways. Your care team will help determine the best path forward based on your diagnosis, overall health, and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of key treatment options:
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This minimally invasive procedure uses a needle inserted directly into the tumor. Electric currents and radiofrequency waves heat and destroy the cancerous tissue from within.
Cryoablation: In this technique, extremely cold probes are placed into the tumor to freeze and kill cancer cells. It’s often used for small tumors or patients who aren’t candidates for surgery.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, or surviving. While kidney cancer is often resistant to traditional chemotherapy, certain drugs may be used in specific cases or in combination with other therapies.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy particles or waves are used to damage and destroy cancer cells. The two main types are:
External Beam Radiation: Delivered from outside the body, targeting the tumor with precision.
Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): Places radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor.
Immunotherapy: This innovative approach activates your immune system to better detect and attack cancer cells. Treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors help the body overcome cancer’s defenses and mount a stronger response.
Targeted Therapy: These drugs zero in on specific genes or proteins that fuel cancer growth. One notable example is belzutifan (Welireg), approved by the FDA in August 2021 for patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related kidney cancers. Belzutifan blocks a protein called HIF-2α, which normally supplies oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells—cutting off this pathway can shrink tumors significantly.
Combination Therapy: In many cases, doctors may recommend a blend of treatments—such as immunotherapy paired with targeted therapy—to increase effectiveness and tailor care to your unique needs.
A Note on Side Effects and Shared Decision-Making While these treatments offer hope, they can also come with side effects that impact your body and daily life. That’s why it’s essential to have open, honest conversations with your doctor. Together, you can weigh the risks and benefits, explore supportive care options, and choose a treatment plan that aligns with your values and goals.
Questions For Your Doctor
Can you explain the type and stage of my kidney cancer, and what that means for my prognosis?
What are the recommended treatment approaches for my specific case, and what are the potential benefits and risks of each?
What side effects should I expect from treatment, and how can they be managed to maintain my daily quality of life?
How will we track whether the treatment is working, and what tests or scans will be part of my follow‑up care?
Are there supportive resources—such as nutrition guidance, counseling, or patient support groups—that can help me during treatment and recovery?
