Power Morcellation Linked To Higher Risk of Hidden Leiomyosarcoma And Uterine Sarcomas

November 26, 2015 – – Tracey & Fox reports on new studies which indicate that the risk of uncovering hidden, undetected cancer during a hysterectomy or myomectomy is higher than previously thought. Boston Medical Center researchers have now reported that approximately 1 in every 352 women who undergo these surgeries may have uterine sarcomas. A common concern among power morcellator plaintiffs is that these undetected cancers can become spread throughout the body and accelerated through power morcellation.

Laparoscopic power morcellation is performed by inserting the device into a woman’s abdomen through a small incision. Once inside, the tool works to break apart troublesome uterine tissue and uterine fibroids. It does this by working much like a drill, spinning small blades that shred the tissue. In doing so, however, it is alleged that the device can uncover cancer cells and then upstage that cancer by spreading it throughout the body.

These new findings support statements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicating that as many as 1 in every 350 women undergoing this type of surgery face a hidden cancer risk. The findings of the latest study took prior careful evaluation of over 19,000 women. Earlier estimates stating that the risk was nearly 1 in 5,000 or more, seem to be substantially off-base.

Doctor Rebecca Perkins, a practicing gynecologist at Boston Medical Center was the author for this new study. She told WBUR’s Common Health: “The take-home message of the study is that the true risk of an undetected cancer at the time of gynecologic surgery for what is assumed to be benign disease is about 1 in 352 women.”

It is a message that plaintiffs have been trying to get across for quite some time, many of whom have experienced this sudden cancer discovery post-surgery first-hand. After many additional lawsuits were filed against the device, the FDA issued a series of warnings informing most women to avoid using laparoscopic power morcellation for gynecological surgeries including uterine fibroids due to the risk of spreading unsuspected cancer, including leiomyosarcoma.

As lawsuits concerning power morcellator devices continue to be filed, the attorneys at Tracey & Fox are also working to ensure that anyone who has undergone power morcellation and who has subsequently been diagnosed with cancer has the opportunity to fully explore their legal rights. These individuals and their families may be entitled to compensation. Tracey & Fox is offering free legal consultations to those involved.

For additional information on this subject, or to ask questions, contact the attorneys at Tracey & Fox by calling (713) 322-5375.

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Contact Tracey & Fox:

Sean Tracey
713-495-2333
440 Louisiana Street , Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77002

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