An estimated one of every 350 women undergoing a hysterectomy for removal of the uterus or uterine fibroids may have an undiagnosed sarcoma, which doctors cannot detect prior to the surgery. Laparoscopic power morcellators used in such cases can lead to the spread of sarcoma and other aggressive cancers. Contact a Hysterectomy Sarcoma Attorney for a free legal consultation if you or someone you love was diagnosed with uterine cancer following a hysterectomy.
Cancerous Cells spread by Morcellator
Morcellators are used in some 55,000-75,000 procedures in the U.S. yearly. Morcellator blades cut tissues into smaller pieces to make them easier to remove. But morcellators often leave behind tiny pieces of tissue. If those pieces contain cancerous cells, morcellators can spread the cancer throughout the abdomen and greatly increase the risk of death. Many women have been diagnosed with advanced stage uterine cancer following a laparoscopic hysterectomy or robotic hysterectomy, in which leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, or other cancer has metastasized to the bladder, pelvis, lungs or other remote areas.
FDA Warnings
Because there is no reliable way for doctors to determine which women have uterine sarcoma prior to hysterectomy, the FDA determined that the cancer risks associated with using morcellation during a laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy surgery outweigh any benefits provided over other methods of removing the uterus or uterine fibroids, for the great majority of women.
The FDA issued the first warnings about the risk in April 2014, urging doctors not to perform laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellators. In November 2014, the agency announced that a “black box” warning will be placed on the devices to ensure women are aware of the risk before considering laparoscopic hysterectomy morcellation.
Hysterectomy Cancer Lawsuit
In a lawsuit against a power morcellator maker, we would charge that the maker knew or should have known about the substantial risk of spreading unsuspected sarcoma associated with the design of the morcellator. It appears to us now that these corporations withheld vital safety information from the medical community and from women, placing their desire for profits ahead of a woman’s safety.
Hysterectomy Sarcoma Attorney
Contact an experienced hysterectomy sarcoma attorney for a potential lawsuit against the maker of a power morcellator if your or someone you love was diagnosed with uterine cancer following a hysterectomy. We offer a free legal consultation. Please view our testimonials to see how we have helped others.
Related
- Morcellator Lawsuit
- Hysterectomy Cancer Lawsuit
- Uterine Cancer Lawsuit
by Matthews & Associates
