How Sanjay Dutt Beat Stage 4 Lung Cancer: His Treatment Journey & What It Teaches Us

After listening to Sanjay Dutt's cancer treatment recovery story, most of the cancer patients get inspiration. When he went for a medical checkup in August 2020 because of difficulty in breathing and chest pains, he was found to have Stage 4 Lung Cancer. This diagnosis was shocking for him and his family. Moreover, as this was an advanced-stage cancer, his oncologist also said there is only a 50 percent chance of survival. 

But just within two months, Sanjay Dutt returned to his normal working and also announced he is cancer-free now. This miracle happened due to the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, the story of Sunjay Dutt beating stage 4 cancer is not just a celebrity tale. All this shows that modern ways of cancer treatment and a positive mindset can help patients recover from cancer.

In this article, we will explore Sanjay’s journey, understand how his recovery occurred, and more. So keep reading!

The Diagnosis That Shocked the World: August 2020

The disease of Sanjay started as a minor health issue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanjay noticed that he often got breathless whenever he climbed stairs. At the start, he didn't focus much on the shortage of breath and chest pain. 

But he also addressed in an interview with a YouTube Ranveer Allahbadia that "When I walked up the stairs, I was totally out of breath." However, as the breathing problems didn't resolve, he was taken to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. 

There, the first doctors suspect COVID-19, but the later test shows there is an unusual fluid in the lungs. Further test reports showed that it was an advanced-stage lung cancer. 

Later on August 11, 2020, he announced his break from movies so that he could focus on his cancer treatment.

Stage 4 NSCLC — what it means medically 

Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common and advanced stage of lung cancer. Around 85% of all lung cancer patients suffer from NSCLC type of cancer [American Cancer Society, 2024]. 

However, stage 4 is also known as metastatic NSCLC cancer. It means the cancer has spread from its origin to the nearby organs or other lungs. This makes surgical removal and other treatments impossible. If you want to have more information about cancer, read our overview about the cancer causes, types, and treatment.

The given table shows how survival rates reduce with the advancement of cancer and why Sanjay's recovery from Stage 4 cancer is a miracle:

Stage	Description	Approx. 5-Year Survival Rate
Stage I	Cancer is limited to the lung and has not spread.	68–92%
Stage II	Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.	53–60%
Stage III	Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or nearby structures in the chest.	13–36%
Stage IV	In this stage, cancer spreads to other organs such as the liver, brain, or bone.	7–10%

NSCLC Staging & Approximate 5-Year Survival Rates. Source: American Cancer Society, 2024; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2026.

How shortness of breath led to the discovery 

In the early stages, NSCLC cancer does not have any prominent symptoms. When symptoms appear, people often ignore them or mistake them for seasonal flu or an infection. In Sanjay's case, he first thought his cough may be due to back pain or COVID-19. 

But according to reports, Sanjay Dutt took medical treatment after experiencing breathing difficulties, fluctuating oxygen levels, and chest pain. In addition, examination by the doctor shows fluid accumulation around the lungs, which leads to cancer diagnoses. 

Key Takeaway

If you experience shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or a cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks, you shouldn’t ignore it. You must consult a physician, especially if your age is above 40 and you have a previous history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Early treatment will help to save your life.

His Treatment Journey: Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy

When Sanjay Dutt learned about his cancer, he made a decision to visit the United States for treatment. But due to the coronavirus situation, he was unable to get his visa for the US.

In those tough times, director Rakesh Roshan, who himself had defeated throat cancer before, helped Dutt. He connected him with Dr. Sewanti Limaye, who was an oncologist from Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. Instead of being demotivated, Dutt decided to fight his disease and be healthy again. 

Talking at an online discussion on World Cancer Day in 2021, he expressed that after accepting that he has cancer, he has decided to fight it with all his might. And when he visited Dr. Limaye for the first time, he had such a mindset of battling the illness and recovering from it.

The treatment protocol for large-cell carcinoma

Dutt's cancer was identified as a large cell carcinoma, which is a subtype of NSCLC cancer. His oncology team first performed molecular testing. It helped them to understand the genetic mutation of the tumor and find the most suitable plan of treatment. [Frontiers in Oncology, 2021] 

The treatment protocol of Large Cell carcinoma includes:

• Chemotherapy. Some of Sanjay's chemotherapy sessions were held in Dubai
• Immunotherapy

After completion of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Dutt continued his medical care and follow-up treatment in Mumbai under the supervision of Dr. Sewanti Limaye. 

How did Immunotherapy Play a Role in His Recovery?

The main factor in Sanjay Dutt's recovery was the PD-L1 biomarker status in his reports. This biomarker test positive. Bacillus, it is a protein that is found on some cancer cells. It suppresses the immune attacks in the body. This biomarker test is positive, which makes Dutt eligible for the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. 

This therapy includes immunotherapy drugs, which completely changed the results of stage 4 lung cancer. These drugs work on the PD-L1 or PD-1 pathway and block this protein. So, it helps immune cells to detect and fight the cancer cells in the body. 

However, study shows that with the PD-L1 inhibitor therapy, some patients achieve long-term survival, which is even more than five years. [PMC/NIH, 2025].

Here is a comparison table of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy for Stage 4 NSCLC cancer.

Feature	Traditional Chemotherapy	Immunotherapy (Checkpoint Inhibitors)
How it works	It helps to kill all the fast-growing cancer cells in the body	It helps the immune system to quickly  find and attack cancer cells in the body
Target	It is not targeted treatment. It can affect both cancer and healthy cells	It is a more targeted treatment option.
Key side effects	The main side effects include hair loss, nausea, weakness, and fatigue	It includes Immune-related reactions, which are manageable.
Response rate (Stage 4)	Around 30–40%	Around 45–60% (especially in PD-L1 positive patients)
Dutt's treatment	Used along with immunotherapy	The main treatment that helped improve the response
Availability in India	Widely available in most hospitals	Available in major cancer treatment centers

Sources: NCCN Guidelines 2025; PMC/NIH 2025; Clinical Respiratory Journal, 2024.

Declared Cancer-Free in 2021: What Changed?

However, just two months after his diagnosis, on October 21, 202, Sanjay posted positive news on his Twitter account. He posted, "My heart is filled with gratitude as I share this news with all of you today." 

The speed of his recovery from the cancer amazed many of his fans. Moreover, his story of recovery from cancer was one of the most popular success stories about lung cancer treatment in Bollywood. 

Doctors said that his fast recovery occurred due to the combination of precision therapy and a correct biomarker profile. In addition, his good physical health and motivation also play an important role.

Sanjay Dutt was very open about his feelings at a World Cancer Day program in 2021. He said that once his doctor told him that he had only a "50-50 chance" of survival. But he did not lose hope and decided to remain positive about that. Moreover, his recovery also shows that with modern oncology, you can get desirable results. But you have to start early and take treatment from experienced oncologists only. 

The role of mental strength alongside treatment 

It is well known that Sanjay Dutt has always mentioned that while undergoing the treatment of his cancer disease, he kept telling himself, “I don’t have cancer”. He was never in denial about his condition, but he did not want to succumb to fear.

In the beginning, he was afraid to start the chemotherapy sessions. This is because his mother, Nargis Dutt, and his first wife, Richa Sharma, suffered from cancer. Due to his fear of the treatment, at first, he decided not to take the treatment. But he reconsidered his decision after looking towards his family.

In addition, he also remained physically active during his treatment. This can lead to improvement and less fatigue, according to his doctors.

Well, only physical strength can’t treat cancer. But research says that being positive, coping with stress, and having good family support are beneficial for the patient.

Medical Insights

Staying physically active during chemotherapy is not just motivational. However, its benefits are also supported by medical research. Patients who regularly exercise during the sessions respond to the treatment better than others. Moreover, they also experience less fatigue. But you must exercise carefully and only after getting approval from the doctor.

His advice to other cancer patients

In most of the public forums, Dutt made an appeal to patients not to lose their hope and place trust in their doctors. He made his appeal based on three main things: 

• Acceptance of the disease
• Get treatment from the right specialist and trust his medical treatment protocol
• Stay physically and mentally active

However, his experience shows that every cancer journey is unique. If one treatment worked for one person, it is not necessary that it will work for others too. That's why it is essential to do personalized checkups, profiling, and a treatment plan.

Medical Lessons From Sanjay Dutt's Story

Here are a few medical lessons that we get from Sanjay Dutt's cancer recovery story.

Why Stage 4 Lung Cancer is no longer always a death sentence? 

Stage 4 NSCLC does not mean a guaranteed death sentence anymore. This is because there have been advancements in medical science, such as immunotherapy, which enables patients to live much longer than before.

Patients' survival chances have increased significantly due to advancements in modern medicine. This is also true for patients whose response to the medications based on biomarker status is good enough. Some patients have survived more than five years with a good response.

In addition, the invention of new targeted medications and immuno-oncology combinations has changed the game of cancer management.

Targeted therapy advances that make recovery possible 

Now, doctors use molecular testing before starting the treatment. It helps them to identify specific gene changes in the cancer. However, according to the profiling reports, doctors choose the most effective treatment instead of the same plan for every patient. This will help to improve the response rate instead of traditional chemotherapy alone.

Common targets include:

• EGFR
• ALK
• ROS1
• BRAF
• KRAS

However, the checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1 and PD-L1 drugs) are often used as the first option for stage 4 lung cancer. It can be used alone for patients with high PD-L1 levels or combined with chemotherapy for others. 

How similar treatment is available in India to his? 

In today's time, almost all the best cancer centers in India are giving similar treatment plans, which were also received by Sanjay Dutt. The following are some of the hospitals giving the best cancer treatments in India:

• Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai)
• AIIMS (New Delhi)
• Apollo Hospitals
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
• Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital

According to the WHO data, 81,000 new cancer cases were registered in India in 2022. This increasing number of patients makes it essential for patients to have easy access to proper and high-quality cancer treatment. For more details about the treatment, you should see our full guide on lung cancer treatment in India.

In addition, when it comes to the cost of cancer treatment, you should know that it is not fixed. The cost varies by cancer type, treatment protocol, drugs, and centers. You must consult an oncologist to understand the eligibility and treatment options.

Lung Cancer Treatment in India

Get Expert Advice Like Sanjay Dutt Did

A diagnosis at the time and access to an experienced oncologist in India played an important role in Sanjay Dutt’s cancer recovery story. However, if you or any of your loved ones has been diagnosed with lung cancer, you can consult India’s top oncology centers. They are also offering the same immunotherapy and targeted therapy that helped Sanjay Dutt recover from cancer. Connect with the specialist today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1Q: How did Sanjay Dutt beat lung cancer? 

Ans: A detailed biomarker testing helps to create an effective treatment plan for Sanjay Dutt. He was treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy by Dr. Sewanti Limaye in Mumbai. In spite of this, due to the right treatment and his attitude, he was able to attain remission just after a few months of being diagnosed.

2Q: What treatment did Sanjay Dutt receive for lung cancer? 

Ans: According to the outcomes of PD-L1 tests, he has been administered both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He was treated at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. However,  some of his chemotherapies were conducted in Dubai too.

3Q: Is stage 4 lung cancer curable?

Ans: Although stage 4 lung cancer is generally incurable, the latest therapies for treating it, such as immunotherapy and targeted treatment, have proved effective in prolonging patients’ lives and achieving remission. The success of treatment depends on patients' health condition, tumor type, and biomarkers.