Over 20 lawsuits that link power morcellator medical devices with the spread of cancerous cells in patients’ bodies have recently been centralized in a Kansas federal court.

These power morcellator lawsuits claim that the laparoscopic device, used to break up fibroid tissue, can spread hidden cancer cells from the fibroid tissue into the rest of the body.

While multiple manufacturers make the devices, most of the consolidated power morcellator lawsuits recently consolidated in Kansas were brought against the medical manufacturer Ethicon. Ethicon is a subsidiary of pharmaceutical and medical giant Johnson & Johnson. J&J voluntarily withdrew its Ethicon power morcellator from the market last year, acknowledging its dangers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration targeted the power morcellator device last November, saying that it posed a serious risk of spreading cancerous tissue, such as uterine sarcomas, throughout the body. The FDA concluded that the device should not be used on most women.

For some women the FDA warning came too late. Some of those women have responded by filing power morcellator lawsuits, alleging that the device’s manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients and the medical community about the risks associated with the device.

What is a Power Morcellator?

Power morcellators are medical devices similar to drills, which surgeons use to break up uterine fibroids. Many surgeons choose to use a power morcellator because of the tool’s ability to make very small incisions, meaning that it is a less invasive procedure.

Surgeons across the U.S. have used power morcellators since 1991, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved the device.

During a hysterectomy or myomectomy, a power morcellator cuts up uterine fibroids for removal. If the uterus or uterine fibroids contain some form of uterine cancer, the power morcellator, cutting tissue into tiny pieces, can actually spread cancer cells throughout the body.

Most women develop these kinds of fibroids, but usually they do not cause symptoms, and so in most cases are safe. For other women, these fibroids can cause prolonged menstrual bleeding, as well as pelvic pain and other unwanted symptoms.

The FDA estimates that approximately 1 in 350 women who undergo either a hysterectomy or myomectomy to remove the fibroids is found to have an undetected uterine sarcoma, which includes leiomyosarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma is a very rare, very aggressive cancer, and is extremely dangerous if spread throughout the body.

Power Morcellator Lawsuits

Unlike some power morcellator manufacturers, Ethicon has decided not to manufacture power morcellators any longer because the company has determined that there is no way to make them safer for patients.

Power morcellators are still technically allowed to remain on the market, but must include strong warnings about the potential cancer risks. Despite the devices not actually being banned, many hospitals and doctors have sworn off using power morcellators, stating there is no way to justify the significant risk given the acceptable alternatives.

If you or someone you know has undergone a surgery where a doctor has used a power morcellator, and have since contracted cancer, you may be able to file a power morcellator lawsuit.