Power Morcellator Cancer Lawsuits

On April 17, 2014, the FDA issued a national safety warning alerting women to the risk of cancer contained in uterine fibroids spreading throughout the body as a result of morcellator use during myomectomy or hysterectomy procedures. Unfortunately, this warning came too late for a number of women who believe cancer cells were spread throughout their abdomens when a power morcellator was used during their surgeries. Learn more about the potential risks of morcellation and about potential compensation for women who have suffered as a result of this allegedly dangerous medical device.

What is a Power Morcellator?

A power morcellator is sometimes used to cut tissues during laparoscopic uterine fibroid surgeries (myomectomy) or hysterectomies. These devices are sometimes favored because they allow for greater precision in minimally invasive procedures.

Power Morcellators and Cancer

According to the FDA, it is possible for cancer cells from undetected uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS) or sarcomas to be spread as a result of power morcellation. The agency has also estimated that one in 350 women who undergo a hysterectomy or myomectomy has undiagnosed uterine cancer. These cells can spread to other areas of a woman's pelvis or abdomen. This spreading of cancer can have dire effects on a woman's life expectancy.

In its April 2014 safety alert, the FDA stated, "If laparoscopic power morcellation is performed in women with unsuspected uterine sarcoma, there is a risk that the procedure will spread the cancerous tissue within the abdomen and pelvis, significantly worsening the patient's likelihood of long-term survival. For this reason, and because there is no reliable method for predicting whether a woman with fibroids may have a uterine sarcoma, the FDA discourages the use of laparoscopic power morcellation during hysterectomy or myomectomy for uterine fibroids."

The FDA is scheduled to meet later this year to review possible cancer risks associated with power morcellators, and no devices have been recalled at this time. However, a number of companies have halted sales of morcellators pending further clarification of possible health risks to patients. A number of women have already filed power morcellator cancer lawsuits, claiming that these in-depth investigations into device safety should have been conducted before the morcellators were approved for use in hysterectomy and myomectomy procedures.

Contact a Power Morcellator Cancer Lawyer

In power morcellator lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that these devices were not sufficiently researched and that patients were not adequately warned about the possible danger of spreading cancer when a morcellator was used during their surgeries. If you believe your cancer spread as a result of power morcellation employed during your hysterectomy or myomectomy, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact an attorney knowledgeable about power morcellator lawsuits to learn more about your rights and how we will protect them.