Study On Power Morcellator Highlights Increased Risk Of Spreading Hidden Uterine Cancer

January 04, 2016 – – Banville Law reports on a news article released by Outpatient Surgery Magazine which highlights the significant risks associated with using power morcellation to remove uterine fibroids. The article discusses a new study which appears to indicate a heightened risk of exposing previously undetected cancer cells during power morcellation than previous research has shown.

Power morcellators are generally used during gynecological surgeries in order to offer a minimally invasive option for the surgery. Recently, however, power morcellation involving uterine fibroids has been a topic of much controversy, as well as the subject of an ever-increasing number of lawsuits.

A power morcellator device can be inserted into the lower abdomen through a small incision. Once inside, jaws are attached to the device which contain small blades. These blades rapidly spin, shredding troublesome uterine tissue and uterine fibroid tissue into small bits, so that these pieces can later be removed from the body through a hollow tube on the device. The procedure works, in theory, however, many plaintiffs and studies have now alleged that the procedure can actually spread hidden cancer cells, and significantly impair the life expectancy of the patient involved.

The article in Outpatient Surgery Magazine states that: “The use of power morcellation during fibroid surgery has been a hot button issue, with the FDA warning last year that the practice may spread undetected cancers. Though some studies have suggested that this possibility is very low, researchers from Boston Medical Center have found that the risk of morcellating cancer is much higher than previously understood.”

The article highlights a study that followed 19,500 women undergoing laparoscopic power morcellation procedures for gynecological surgeries such as hysterectomies or myomectomies.

It evaluated details regarding the frequency with which these patients were diagnosed with cancer after their surgical procedure. Data from the study found that approximately 1 in every 352 women involved had hidden cancer cells that were exposed by the procedure. These cells, when encapsulated within a uterine fibroid, are virtually impossible to detect.

These numbers coincide with those discussed in a safety warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding power morcellation. The FDA estimated that approximately 1 out of every 350 women who undergo laparoscopic power morcellation on their uterine fibroids may have undetected cancer that the tool could advance by spreading.

As the tool and procedures becomes increasingly controversial, new lawsuits continue to be filed against various manufacturers of power morcellators. The attorneys at Banville Law know that it is likely that many others have been negatively affected by the procedure, and are therefore currently working to ensure that these women will have the opportunity to investigate their legal rights. Those involved may be entitled to compensation. Banville Law is now offering complimentary legal consultations to anyone who has undergone laparoscopic power morcellation and who has since been diagnosed with cancer.

To request more information on power morcellation or ask questions, contact the attorneys at Banville Law by calling (888) 997-3792.

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Contact Banville Law:

Laurence Banville, Esq.
888-997-3792
info@banvillelaw.com
165 West End Avenue, #1H
New York, NY 10023
United States (US)

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