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Cassandra Barksdale says a mistaken biopsy diagnosis changed her life.
The Georgia woman underwent a total hysterectomy after doctors diagnosed her with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. However, she later learned that the tissue sample used for the diagnosis allegedly belonged to another patient.
Barksdale has since filed a negligence claim against Kaiser Permanente. Her attorneys allege that a mislabeled tissue sample triggered the chain of events that led to her surgery.
The case highlights the serious consequences that can follow when a medical diagnosis is based on the wrong patient sample.
Cassandra Barksdale Sought Treatment for Fibroids
Barksdale went to Kaiser Permanente Southwood Medical Center in Jonesboro in early 2025. She was experiencing heavy bleeding and had fibroids.
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are common and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and other symptoms.
Barksdale underwent a biopsy on March 10, 2025, as doctors investigated her symptoms.
According to the lawsuit, the biopsy results indicated that she had high-grade endometrial cancer.
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. High-grade cancer cells can appear highly abnormal and may behave more aggressively. As a result, doctors often recommend prompt treatment when this type of cancer is diagnosed.
However, Barksdale’s attorneys say the diagnosis was based on tissue from another patient.
Barksdale Underwent a Total Hysterectomy
The cancer diagnosis led to major surgery.
On May 15, 2025, Barksdale underwent a total hysterectomy. She was 43 years old at the time.
According to the details provided in the lawsuit, surgeons removed her cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. They also removed four lymph nodes.
The procedure permanently ended her ability to become pregnant and caused other major physical consequences.
After the surgery, Barksdale says she was told to expect information about chemotherapy.
At that point, she believed she was facing treatment for an aggressive cancer.
She Later Learned the Biopsy Was Wrong
The situation changed months later.
According to the lawsuit, Barksdale did not learn that the biopsy sample belonged to another patient until seven months after her original cancer diagnosis.
By then, she had already undergone the hysterectomy and related procedures.
Her attorneys allege that the tissue sample had been mislabeled. They argue that the error resulted in a cancer diagnosis that did not belong to Barksdale.
The claim accuses Kaiser Permanente of negligence over the alleged mistake.
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The Case Raises Questions About Patient Safety
Barksdale’s case underscores why accurate patient identification is critical in medical testing.
A biopsy can play an important role in diagnosing cancer. Doctors may use the results to determine whether a patient needs surgery, chemotherapy or other treatment.
Therefore, an error involving the identity of a tissue sample can have serious consequences.
In Barksdale’s case, her attorneys argue that the alleged mistake affected multiple medical decisions. Those decisions ultimately included a major operation.
The lawsuit will determine the claims and defenses raised by the parties. Allegations in a legal complaint are not findings of fact, and Kaiser Permanente’s response could provide additional information about the case.
For Barksdale, however, the alleged error came with consequences that cannot simply be reversed.
She underwent major surgery based on a cancer diagnosis that she says she never actually had.
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