Morcellation Lawsuit

Women who are diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a laparoscopic power morcellation to remove their uterus or uterine fibroids may be entitled to compensation. Several studies have found an increased risk in the spread of cancerous tissue after a woman undergoes a power morcellation procedure.

The Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, published a study in March 2014 that found 13 women between 1983 and 2010 unexpectedly developed uterine cancer after undergoing power morcellation.

An additional study published in March 2014 in PLOS One showed that women were nine times more likely to develop cancer after undergoing power morcellation to remove their uterus or uterine fibroids.

Uterine Fibroids & Treatment

Most fibroids are not cancerous; they are benign growths in or around the uterus.

Some fibroids do not need to be surgically removed and they vary in size, location, and symptoms. Fibroids can grow in different areas of the uterus including:

  • Within the muscular uterine wall (intramural fibroids)
  • Outside of the uterus (subserosal fibroids)
  • In the inner cavity of the uterus (submucosal fibroids)]

Doctors are unsure what the exact cause of uterine fibroids is but believe several factors may contribute including:

  • Hormones: estrogen and progesterone that promote the development of the lining of the uterus during a woman’s period.
  • Genetics: Some evidence shows that you may be more likely to develop fibroids if women in your family have a history of them.
  • Substances that promote tissue growth, such as certain medications.

In rare cases, uterine fibroids may be cancerous but unfortunately, doctors may be unable to determine whether or not they are cancerous before surgery.

This poses a significant problem when women undergo laparoscopic power morcellation. The FDA now discourages the use of power morcellation to remove the uterus or uterine fibroids because it has the potential of spreading undiagnosed cancer.

How Morcellation Removes The Uterus Or Uterine Fibroids

Laparoscopic power morcellation is a procedure that uses a device called a morcellator to slice the affected tissue into small pieces and remove it through small incisions in the abdomen. This type of surgical treatment was found to decrease the recovery time, pain, blood loss, and scarring.

But, since doctors are unable to tell whether or not a fibroid contains cancerous tissue before removal, this procedure carries the risk of spreading any cancerous tissue into other parts of the body.

Morcellation Attorney

You may be entitled to compensation if you developed cancer after undergoing laparoscopic power morcellation to remover your uterus or uterine fibroids. You should call a morcellation attorney today who will be able to determine whether or not you have a case.

Always report any symptoms or side effects to your doctor. The FDA is asking all doctors to thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits associated with undergoing laparoscopic power morcellation to remove your uterus or uterine fibroids.