Uterine sarcoma, a rare type of uterine cancer that includes leiomyosarcoma, can worsen significantly when women are treated with a surgical tool known as a power morcellator during a hysterectomy or fibroid surgery.
What You Can Do & How a Uterine Sarcoma Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting uterine sarcoma induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma after surgery with a morcellator, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is the problem?
An estimated 50-80% of women will develop fibroids, which are benign (non-cancerous) soft tissue growths on the uterus that can be painful. In the United States, about 55,000 – 75,000 women have surgery to remove fibroids using a laparoscopic power morcellator.
The problem with morcellators is that they often leave tiny bits of tissue behind. If these bits of tissue contain cancerous cells, the morcellator could “seed” uterine sarcoma throughout a woman’s pelvis and abdomen — greatly reducing her chances of long-term survival.
In April 2014, the FDA recommended against using morcellators because uterine sarcoma is undiagnosed in 1 in 350 women who have fibroid surgery. About 1 in 500 have leiomyosarcoma, a highly aggressive cancer.
What is Uterine Sarcoma?
Uterine sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that grows in the muscle, fat, or other soft tissues of a woman’s uterus (womb). Approximately 1,600 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with uterine sarcoma every year. It is much less common than carcinoma of the uterus, which start in the inner-lining of the uterus.
Types of Uterine Sarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma: Starts in smooth muscle cells of the myometrium (muscular wall of the uterus). About 2% of uterine cancer are leiomyosarcoma.
- Endometrial stromal sarcoma: Starts in connective tissues of the uterus and tends to be slow-growing. Occurs in less than 1% of uterine cancers.
What are the Symptoms of Uterine Sarcoma?
Unfortunately, early symptoms of uterine sarcoma are often mild or nonexistent. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Bleeding that is not part of menstrual periods
- Bleeding after menopause
- A mass in the vagina
- Pain or feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Frequent urination
How is Uterine Sarcoma Diagnosed?
Tests for suspected uterine sarcoma may include a physical pelvic exam, pap test, and transvaginal ultrasound. However, usually the only way to conclusively diagnose uterine sarcoma is by removing a tiny piece of tissue (called a biopsy) and having a pathologist examine the sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
Uterine Sarcoma Treatment
Surgery to remove the uterus is an important treatment option for most women who are diagnosed with uterine sarcoma. However, most women who have been treated with a morcellator do not have a uterus and there are too many tumors in their abdomen for surgery alone to be effective. These women typically need aggressive treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
More Information
- General Information About Uterine Sarcoma — National Cancer Institute
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor — American Cancer Society
- Are Routine, Minimally Invasive Surgeries for Fibroids Safe? — The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative
Do I have a Uterine Sarcoma Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting uterine sarcoma induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma after surgery with a morcellator, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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