According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 80% of African American women and 70% of Caucasian women will develop uterine fibroids, benign tumors that grow in the uterus, by the age of 50. Although no one knows exactly what causes these growths, some health experts suggest they may be a result of hormonal fluctuations or genetic predisposition.
Uterine fibroids vary in size and weight; some are microscopic while others can grow very large and weigh several pounds. Some grow very rapidly while others shrink on their own. No matter the size or growth rate, these fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are non-cancerous and usually discovered during a routine pelvic exam.
In certain circumstances uterine fibroids can cause pain, severe bleeding, and even difficulty in conceiving. For these reasons some women choose to have them surgically removed either by a myomectomy, which is a procedure that removes only the fibroids, or a hysterectomy, which removes the entire uterus.
The Risks of Laparoscopic Power Morcellation Surgery
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about laparoscopic power morcellation, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a special medical device to blast uterine fibroids into very tiny pieces which can then be removed through a small incision in the abdomen. The surgery can be potentially dangerous. Although fibroids themselves are non-cancerous, should the patient have undiagnosed cancer, such as uterine, cervical, ovarian, or abdominal, the procedure can spread the cancer around the abdomen, making it much more difficult to treat.
In its research the FDA found that nearly 1 in 350 women who had power morcellation treatment to remove fibroids developed uterine cancer. Unfortunately at this time, there is no reliable detection method to predict whether a patient with fibroids also has uterine cancer.
Power Morcellation is an Attractive Procedure for Doctors and Hospitals
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, doctors and hospitals continuously look for ways to attract patients. One way is by offering minimally-invasive surgeries, such as power morcellation, which promise smaller scars and quicker recovery periods. It is for this reason that many gynecologists are still performing the potentially-dangerous surgery, despite the multiple warnings from the FDA.
What Can Women Do?
Women who have developed an abdominal cancer after a power morcellation surgery may be entitled to medical compensation. Lawyers provide free case evaluations to determine if the surgery patient is eligible. This is one such case evaluation.
Looking ahead, the FDA has announced it is considering possibly requiring an official warning of the power morcellation procedure in the future. In the meantime, what can women do to ensure their personal safety when deciding how to treat their uterine fibroids?
It is advised that women discuss all of their options with their doctor. Some may find other treatments such as an abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, or a non-surgical option such as hormone therapy, good alternatives. If a laparoscopic myomectomy or hysterectomy is recommended, women should ask their doctor if power morcellation will be used and if it is the best option for them.
Women who developed Uterine Cancer, Stomach Cancer or Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) after undergoing Fibroid Removal or a Hysterectomy may be eligible for compensation. Don’t let your valuable legal rights expire – request a free case review by visiting:
Click here to receive your free case evaluation.
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