There is always a risk with any surgery, but what many women are now discovering is that a tool used during fibroid removal surgery may cause deadly power morcellator cancer to spread throughout their bodies.

Power morcellators are medical devices used during various laparoscopic surgeries, such as hysterectomies and myomectomies, that aggressively cut uterine tissue into small pieces.

This permits the tissue to be removed through a small incision site, with the proposed benefits including shorter recovery periods, fewer complications, and less pain.

Power Morcellator Risks

About 600,000 women undergo hysterectomy each year in the United States, and half of those surgeries involve minimally invasive procedures. Of those 300,000 surgeries, about 12 percent involve power morcellators.

Another 250,000 women undergo laparoscopic surgery annually for removal of uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas. These growths form a round, rubbery mass on the uterus’ muscle tissue, and are most common during a woman’s childbearing years.

Fibroids may cause excessive bleeding, pressure, and pain. Morcellation of fibroids does not require removal of the uterus.

All together, about 60,000 women each year undergo uterine surgeries involving power morcellators.

However, the inherent risk of power morcellation is the dissemination of the broken-up tissue. Benign tissue can become implanted on abdominal structures and organs, resulting in conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis, potentially requiring further surgery.

Furthermore, power morcellators can spread malignant tissue from an undiagnosed uterine cancer, including leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, carcinosarcoma, and endometrial adenocarcinoma, and significantly worsen a patient’s prognosis from treatable to deadly.

Symptoms of Power Morcellator Cancer

Based on current data, the FDA estimates that 1 in 350 women undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy for the treatment of fibroids have an unsuspected uterine sarcoma, a type of uterine cancer that includes leiomyosarcoma.

Most women with uterine sarcoma first notice abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, or unusual vaginal discharge between menstrual periods or after menopause.

Other symptoms of power morcellator cancer can include pain and an unusual feeling of fullness in the pelvic area and frequent urination.

FDA Warns About Power Morcellator Dangers

Due to recent scrutiny and a rise in reports in the medical literature, the FDA issued a safety alert in April 2014 discouraging the use of these devices in uterine and fibroid removal procedures, as they may spread an undetected or unsuspected benign or cancerous tissue that could lead to the dissemination of endometriosis or uterine sarcoma.

In response to the FDA communication, Johnson & Johnson’s power morcellator manufacturing unit, Ethicon, suspended all worldwide sales and distribution of power morcellators and ordered a voluntary market withdrawal, affecting all Johnson & Johnson morcellator products.

Several hospitals have also suspended use of these devices.

Power Morcellator Cancer Lawsuits

An increasing number of women now report being diagnosed with power morcellator cancer following laparoscopic surgery using the surgical tool.

If you or woman you care about were diagnosed with upstaged uterine cancer following a gynecological surgery where a power morcellator was used, contact an attorney to determine whether you may be eligible to file a power morcellator cancer lawsuit.