“No excuse”

Healthy Uterus Removed: An Interview with the Victim

One patient complains: “To this day, no one has apologized to me.”(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

A 30-year-old woman had her healthy uterus removed in Linz in the summer of 2025 following a false cancer diagnosis. In her first interview, the patient speaks about her fear of death and the loss of her job. She is seeking support. Her lawyer is currently preparing a lawsuit: “I can’t fight the clinic on my own.” 

In late January, the 30-year-old woman from Upper Austria went public with her ordeal via “Krone.” The case involves a botched surgery that sparked debate across Austria. Now the victim reveals that she is suffering not only from health consequences—but also from the loss of her job. Her lawyer, Rainer Hable, who is present during the interview in Linz, explains: “If the clinic continues to stonewall, it will come down to a court case.”

 Routine ProcedureIn June 2025, the young woman went to the Kepler University Hospital for a routine outpatient procedure on the recommendation of her gynecologist. On July 24, the patient is confronted with a devastating diagnosis: a highly aggressive tumor has been detected in a tissue sample that was taken.

The doctors recommend immediate surgery. The patient asks whether it might make sense to seek a second opinion. There is no time for that, the doctors say. On August 5, the surgery takes place: the entire uterus, both fallopian tubes, and one ovary are removed. No signs of metastasis are found. She is discharged the next day: with a cancer diagnosis, and no possibility of having children.

Evidence of a misdiagnosis
Although initial indications emerged internally at the hospital just a few days after the serious procedure that contamination had likely occurred during the analysis of the tissue sample, the woman was not personally informed by the attending physicians until September 16 that she was in perfect health. Work on the medical record continued until October, and only then was it sent to the patient—at the insistence of her lawyer.

The clinic maintains that the procedure was performed in accordance with current medical standards—tissue contamination is simply a known, rare risk. Now a lengthy legal battle looms.

“Krone”: After everything you’ve been through in recent months, the first question we have to ask is: How are you doing today?
Victim: Hard to say. There are good days—and very bad ones.

It feels like a long nightmare. Somehow you hope that you’ll wake up someday.

Patientin

Have you fully realized what has happened to you?
I don’t think so. It feels like a long nightmare. Somehow you hope that you’ll wake up one day.

What was the worst part for you?
The uncertainty. Months of waiting. In July, I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of cancer. It wasn’t until September that the Kepler Clinic told me the truth: that I had never been sick. For almost two months, I woke up every morning—and believed I was going to die.

It now turns out from the records that the Kepler Clinic already knew in August that the cancer diagnosis was wrong.
I’m at a loss for words. How could they let me suffer like that for so long?

Has anyone ever apologized to you personally?
No. To this day, no one has apologized to me.

I have massive health problems. My hormones are completely out of whack—it’s as if I suddenly went into menopause at 30.

Patientin

How has your life changed since then?
The Kepler Clinic says I’m healthy. I don’t think they have any idea what they’ve done to me. I have serious health problems. My hormones are completely out of whack—it’s as if I suddenly went into menopause at 30. And before, I didn’t know what anxiety or panic attacks were—now, unfortunately, I know what that feels like. Fortunately, I’ve recently started psychotherapy.

What do you want from the Kepler Clinic?
An apology. The assurance that something this terrible will never happen to other women. And through my lawyer, I have demanded compensation.

How are the negotiations with the lawyers going?
Not well. The settlement talks have failed. The Kepler Clinic continues to deny any fault and is unwilling to pay more than 70,000 euros. But that doesn’t even cover the costs I’ve incurred as a result of this disaster.

What is your financial situation like?
I lost my job. After a long period of sick leave, my employer terminated my employment. I currently have neither a job nor an income—only sick pay.

How does your lawyer assess the situation?
He says that the Kepler Clinic isn’t seeking a serious solution, but just wants to play for time—hoping that my story will disappear from the media. So it looks like we’re headed for a court case.

What made you decide to give an interview for the first time?
Taking this step into the public eye was very difficult for me. I thought about it for a long time. I’m not the kind of person who seeks attention. I didn’t want any of this. But I need help. I can’t defend myself against the Kepler Clinic on my own.

Is there anything that still gives you hope in this situation and in the face of what is likely to be a long legal battle?
I thought my chance to ever have children was gone. But now I’ve learned that in exceptional cases, a uterus can be transplanted. I have no idea if something like that is even an option for me. But it’s a small glimmer of hope for me.

Have you already brought this up with the Kepler Clinic?
Yes, back in September, when the three attending physicians finally told me the truth. I was in shock and couldn’t say a word. But my friend, who was with me at the time, immediately asked if it could be fixed, if a uterus transplant was possible.

And what was the reaction of the chief physicians?
They laughed.

What are your plans now?
Friends helped me set up a GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/f/schicksalsschlag-in-linz, note). This allows me to ask the public for financial support. I urgently need help to afford an exorbitantly expensive court case. And I want to explore whether my glimmer of hope for a uterus transplant can become a reality. I would be very grateful for any support.