Women who have undergone uterine fibroid removal through the use of a power morcellator might develop morcellator cancer as a result.

A power morcellator is a medical device that chops and grinds tissue during laparoscopic surgery.

The small chunks of tissue can be vacuumed out through small cuts in the abdomen rather than through larger incisions used in traditional surgery.

For years, physicians believed power morcellators were safe for fibroid removal, but the device may scatter pieces of tissue throughout the abdominal cavity.

These tiny pieces of tissue can seed new growth where they land, causing power morcellator cancer.

Even benign tissue can be a problem if it grows around the intestines, causing obstructions. In other cases, previously undetected cancer cells attach to organs where new tumors grow.

Morcellator Cancer

In one woman’s case, a morcellator was used to grind her uterus and fibrous tissue for removal in laparoscopic surgery.

When the morcellator blades spun, they spewed bits and pieces of tissue throughout the abdomen. Previously undiagnosed cancer cells landed, grew, and became full-blown cancer.

The morcellated tissue fragments tested positive for leiomyosarcoma, a rare and deadly form of cancer found in connective tissues, including that of the uterus.

No one considered the possibility of morcellator cancer when the devices were originally approved for fibroid removal.

This woman’s power morcellator cancer metastasized to her lungs, and she died of lung cancer.

FDA Warns of Morcellator Dangers

Johnson & Johnson made three of the top-selling brands of power morcellators that were used in gynecological surgeries.

Johnson & Johnson stopped sales of its power morcellators in April 2014 and took them off the market in July 2014.

Also in 2014, the FDA warned against using laparoscopic power morcellators in women receiving hysterectomies or uterine fibroid removal.

The FDA estimated that approximately one in 350 women undergoing such surgery would be found to have a previously undiagnosed case of uterine cancer.

For women who have had no symptoms of cancer, but then have it spread through power morcellation, they can find themselves diagnosed with Stage IV cancer very quickly.

Morcellator Cancer Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson has settled many legal claims and lawsuits regarding the power morcellator’s cancer-spreading potential.

Johnson & Johnson has been accused of promoting power morcellators as safe for the removal of fibroids and/or the uterus, but knowing the risks of spreading cancer.

Lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson did not warn doctors that use of a power morcellator could spread cancer cells.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer after a power morcellator surgery, you could benefit from a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the device used in your surgery.