Rugby League legend Wally Lewis diagnosed with probable CTE

Wally Lewis has revealed he has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – describing his shock after seeing scans of brain that even made his doctor tear up.

Key points:Lewis was diagnosed after concerns about recent memory lossAccording to Dementia Australia, CTE is a form of dementia that comes after repeated concussions or head injuriesLewis says he has no regrets over his NRL career but acknowledges he may have approached it "a little bit differently"

The rugby league legend – dubbed 'the King' – recently received the diagnosis after being concerned about memory loss for some time.

While comparing a recent scan of his head with previous scans, Lewis said he was "gobsmacked" by what he and his doctor saw.

"We had a look at the X-rays (scans), and I was expecting to see this just tiny little mark," he told ABC Radio Brisbane.

"I've had concussions before, earlier in my career, where a doctor would just say, 'look here's the spot here' and it would be a little bit different to the one that we've just recently had.

"I had the first one (scan) put up and the second one flashed up a couple of seconds later and it was enormously different. I just looked at it and could not believe the difference."

Lewis said his doctor had tears in her eyes while looking at the scan of his head.

"She just said, 'I don't think I've seen one like this' and just kept talking and saying that there had been other ones of concern," he said.

Wally Lewis said he was "gobsmacked" after seeing a scan of his head.(ABC News: Chris Gillette)

"But she just said, 'we're not here to be negative, we're going to be positive, and we will go on from here and deal with it in the best way that we can'."

Lewis indicated memory loss had been the biggest symptom he had encountered, as well as issues with headaches.

He will soon head back to Sydney to discuss his future plans and options with his doctor.

Lewis said he had no regrets about his NRL career in the wake of his diagnosis, but suggested he may have approached the way he played the game "a little bit differently".

"I didn't go in there to pick up the concussions. Nor did I think about evading them," he said.

"I was playing footy for the love of the sport. It really has been my life. And again, I'm not seeking sympathy.

Wally Lewis, nicknamed "the King", represented Queensland in State of Origin during the 1980s.(ABC News: Nick Wiggins)

"It's just something that I don't think the game should be blamed (for).

"If there were any mistakes made, it was perhaps the way that I positioned my head – and that was incorrectly when trying to affect a tackle."

Dementia Australia thanks Lewis for sharing story

According to Dementia Australia, CTE is a form of dementia that comes after repeated concussions or head injuries.

The charity warned the impact it could have on someone's brain function over time could interfere with their "usual functioning or working life".

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe thanked Lewis for sharing his story.

"When high profile people like Wally share their story, it helps everyone impacted or going through a similar experience to know they are not alone," she said.

"Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is preventable.

"It can be avoided or minimised by preventing head injuries and managing head injuries and concussions effectively by following evidence-based, best practice guidelines."

During his career, Lewis played for the Queensland Maroons as well as the Brisbane Broncos.