Power Morcellators Pose Additional Threat

As if the spread of undetected uterine cancer wasn’t bad enough, a new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology outlines yet another dangerous side effect of using power morcellation in uterine fibroid removal or hysterectomies: the development of non-cancerous tumors and other uterine diseases. The study found that three women developed soft tissue masses on organs such as their fallopian tubes, ovaries, spleens, and abdomens, and had to undergo additional surgeries to remove the tumors that might have potentially turned cancerous. “Even in the setting of benign conditions,” the researchers noted, “open power morcellation of the uterus may be associated with clinically significant dissemination of uterine disease.” The FDA has added stronger “black box” warnings to these surgical devices about their risk of spreading cancer, yet many medical device manufacturers continue to produce and market them.