Can a power morcellator spread cancer during a hysterectomy? Yes, according to the FDA and a growing body of medical research, power morcellators used during hysterectomy and fibroid removal procedures can spread undetected uterine cancer throughout the abdomen and pelvis, worsening a woman's prognosis and, in many cases, upstaging a treatable cancer into a far deadlier one.

At Cohen Hirsch, we are proud to be women representing women. We built our practice on the belief that clients facing a medical crisis deserve lawyers who understand not just the law, but the fear, confusion, and betrayal that come with learning a routine procedure may have caused irreversible harm. We combine deep legal expertise with genuine compassion, because we know this isn't just a case file to us. It's someone's health, someone's family, someone's future.

A power morcellator is a surgical device used during laparoscopic hysterectomies and myomectomies (fibroid removal surgeries) to cut uterine tissue into small pieces so it can be removed through tiny incisions. The tool was designed to make these procedures less invasive, with shorter recovery times and smaller scars. For many women, it worked exactly as intended.

The problem is what happens when the tissue being morcellated contains an undetected cancer - most often a rare but aggressive cancer called leiomyosarcoma.

• The FDA issued a safety communication in 2014 warning that power morcellators can spread cancerous tissue in women with unsuspected uterine sarcomas, and discouraged their use in the majority of women undergoing fibroid removal or hysterectomy.
• The FDA has estimated that approximately 1 in 350 women undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy for fibroids has an unsuspected uterine sarcoma — a cancer that standard pre-surgical testing often cannot detect.
• When morcellation is performed on tissue containing this hidden cancer, it can scatter malignant cells throughout the abdominal cavity, significantly worsening the patient's long-term survival odds.
• Several major device manufacturers pulled their power morcellators from the market after the FDA's warnings, and many hospitals restricted or banned their use altogether.
• Women who were later diagnosed with advanced or upstaged uterine cancer following a morcellation procedure have pursued legal claims against device makers and, in some cases, medical providers, for failure to warn of these risks.

If you or a family member had a laparoscopic hysterectomy or fibroid removal surgery and were later diagnosed with uterine sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, or another cancer that appeared to spread unusually fast or in an unexpected pattern, a power morcellator may be the reason. Warning signs to discuss with your doctor and an attorney include:

• A cancer diagnosis discovered shortly after a morcellation procedure
• A diagnosis of upstaged or metastatic uterine cancer following surgery
• Being told your prognosis worsened significantly after what was expected to be a routine operation

Women harmed by power morcellators have pursued compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and in tragic cases, wrongful death on behalf of surviving family members. Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on the severity of the diagnosis, the treatment required, and the impact on the woman's life and family.

This is a deeply personal injury - one that affects a woman's body, her sense of safety in medical care, and often her relationship with motherhood or her own health going forward. We understand that nuance because we live it too. Our team approaches every client relationship with the seriousness this fight deserves and the warmth every client needs. We handle the legal complexity so you can focus on your health and your family.

If you or someone you love developed cancer after a hysterectomy or fibroid removal surgery involving a power morcellator, you may have legal options - and time to act may be limited. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and whether you have a claim. There is no obligation, and you will never be charged unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today - let us carry some of this weight with you.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on individual facts and circumstances. Contact our office directly to discuss your specific situation with a member of our legal team.