[100 years of the Wertheim operation--Ernst Wertheim between myth and reality]

100 years ago, on November 16, 1898, Ernst Wertheim performed the first radical abdominal hysterectomy for cervical cancer wearing his name. In this historical survey the life story of Wertheim is described involving morally questionable behaviours, misconceptions to radiation therapy, and problems regarding his obstetrical teaching. In context to the Wertheim-operation the vaginal radical hysterectomy developed by Schuchardt and Schauta and the radiation therapy of cervical cancer in the Wertheim-era are discussed.