Every year, over 200,000 women undergo hysterectomies to remove uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors.

However, reports of morcellator problems have caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings about use of the device during gynecological surgeries.

What is a Power Morcellator?

A power morcellator is a surgical device used to break up large masses or growths so they can be extracted from small incisions.

Its use became popular because it was minimally invasive, allowing for a faster recovery time and fewer complications.

While a power morcellator can be used all over the body to remove large masses, it is commonly used in hysterectomies and myomectomies to remove tumors that have attached themselves to the uterine wall.

Once the tumors are broken up into smaller pieces, they are extracted through a small incision in the abdomen.

Morcellator Problems

While the power morcellator aims to remove non-cancerous tumors, there is no way to know if a tumor is cancerous or not until it has been removed and tested.

This means power morcellators may sometimes be used to break up cancerous tumors, called uterine sarcomas.

When uterine sarcomas are broken down, even if some portions are removed from the uterus, the remaining malignant fragments can cause serious complications, including spreading a contained form of cancer throughout a woman’s body without her knowledge.

At the very least, morcellator problems can cause the patient pain and lead to infection if any masses or tumors are left in the uterus, whether they are cancerous or not.

If a whole or partial cancerous tumor or uterine sarcoma is left behind, it can migrate into the pelvic cavity and even into other organs, effectively spreading cancer throughout the patient’s body.

More serious morcellator problems are alleged to cause uterine cancers like leiomyosarcoma, a soft tissue sarcoma that is particularly resistant to cancer treatment.

Warnings for Power Morcellator Use

Despite reports of power morcellator problems, the FDA fell short of issuing a recall of the device. But the agency has issued specific warnings about to physicians regarding its use:

• The agency discourages use of the device for the treatment of uterine fibroids.
• Morcellators should not be used for surgery on women who have known or suspected cancer.
• Alternate treatments should be considered for women with uterine fibroids.
• If the morcellator device is to be used, the patients should be fully informed of risks and benefits.
• Patients should be notified that their uterine tissue may contain small, unsuspected tumors that may be spread by the morcellation procedure.
• Consider collecting morcellated tissue during surgery to remove it from the patient’s body to minimize the risk of spreading cancerous cells.

Filing a Power Morcellator Lawsuit

The number of women who experienced an increase in gynecological cancers after the use of a power morcellator during previous surgery has risen dramatically since the device came into use.

Many of the women required additional medical treatment for the cancers, and many died because of the spread of these cancers that may have been disseminated by the use of the modulator power device.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a procedure that used a power morcellator, consult with an experienced attorney to discuss your case and the possibility of legal action.

You may be entitled to compensation for additional medical costs and other types of compensation as a result of alleged power morcellator problems.