A gynaecologist in Cyprus is facing a series of serious complaints from five women, who allege delayed cancer diagnoses, inadequate patient information, questionable surgical decisions and inaccuracies in medical records.
The cases, which have been reported to the Cyprus Medical Association (CMA), the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) and the Police, involve allegations ranging from a fatal delay in diagnosing cervical cancer to operations that patients claim were unnecessary. Two of the cases are expected to proceed before the courts in the coming months.
Cervical cancer diagnosed 14 months later
One complaint concerns a 37-year-old mother who died from cervical cancer after being treated by the gynaecologist for approximately 14 months between January 2023 and March 2024.
According to her family, persistent symptoms were repeatedly attributed to an infection and later cervicitis. They say she was reassured that examination results, including Pap tests, were normal.
In May 2024, a second gynaecologist identified a serious cervical lesion and a biopsy confirmed stage-three invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Despite undergoing treatment in Cyprus and abroad, the cancer spread to her bones and she died on 8 January 2025.
Before her death, she had consulted a lawyer regarding concerns about a delayed diagnosis and possible medical negligence. Her family later filed complaints with the CMA and the Police and is pursuing the matter further.
Ovarian cancer discovered after surgery
A second complaint involves a 26-year-old woman who remains under cancer treatment.
After seeking medical advice for pain in March 2026, scans reportedly identified a cyst and she was prescribed hormonal treatment.
At a follow-up appointment in June, the doctor allegedly informed her that a tumour required urgent removal, and she underwent surgery two days later.
The woman claims her pain persisted after the operation and that the doctor failed to respond to repeated calls. Less than three weeks later, another gynaecologist diagnosed ovarian cancer.
She subsequently underwent a second operation during which one ovary was removed and says she was informed that future fertility may be affected.
The case has been reported to the CMA and the private hospital involved. The patient is considering legal action once her treatment is completed.
Questions over fibroid surgery
Another woman alleges she was pressured into surgery for a fibroid after being told it measured between five and six centimetres.
According to her complaint, the operation was arranged before she had received a full explanation of the procedure or available alternatives.
She says she later discovered the fibroid was recorded on ultrasound as considerably smaller and claims other doctors subsequently told her the condition could have been managed without surgery.
The woman says the experience left her suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress and a lasting distrust of medical care.
'Monster' turned out to be endometriosis
A fourth woman says she visited the gynaecologist in 2023 for a routine Pap test but was quickly told she had a "monster" growing on her ovary that required immediate surgery.
She agreed to the operation, only for pathology results to later identify a three-centimetre endometriotic cyst with no cellular abnormalities.
The patient alleges she was never properly informed of the revised findings and later learned from other doctors that surgery may not have been necessary.
She also claims she continues to suffer menstrual problems that were not present before the procedure.
Civil action already filed
The fifth woman says she underwent surgery after a routine examination identified a large ovarian cyst which she was told posed an urgent risk.
Although she sought time to consider her options, she alleges she was informed that surgery was the only course of action.
Following the operation, she questioned discrepancies between the pathology report and the information she had been given beforehand.
Two other gynaecologists later reportedly advised that monitoring rather than immediate surgery could have been considered.
The woman, who says she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress following the experience, filed complaints with the HIO and has an ongoing civil lawsuit before the Nicosia District Court.
Further questions raised
According to Politis, the five cases may not be the only complaints involving the same doctor.
The newspaper reports that additional allegations have emerged and may require further investigation.
At the same time, questions remain over the progress and outcomes of complaints already submitted to the relevant authorities, including those concerning procedures that were funded through GeSY.
