Lawsuits are now being filed by women who developed uterine sarcoma, a rare type of uterine cancer that includes leiomyosarcoma, after having a hysterectomy or fibroid surgery where their surgeon used a controversial tool known as a laparoscopic power morcellator.
Need a Texas Uterine Sarcoma Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with uterine sarcoma after a hysterectomy or fibroid surgery with a morcellator, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit in Texas.
What is the problem?
About 55,000 – 75,000 of fibroid surgeries are performed with a laparoscopic power morcellator, a surgical tool that uses spinning blades to grind up fibroids into tiny pieces.
In the past, experts thought the risk of spreading cancer was low. Surgeons rarely used protective surgical bags, which are designed to catch all the little bits of tissue.
Now, a growing number of women are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of power morcellators for failing to warn about the risk of spreading cancer.
These lawsuits were filed after the FDA warned that 1 in 350 women who has fibroid surgery actually has undiagnosed uterine sarcoma, and 1 in 500 has highly-aggressive leiomyosarcoma.
This has led to changes at many hospitals, where surgeons are now asked to inform women about the risk before treating them with a power morcellator. Fortunately, there are many safe alternatives to power morcellation using traditional laparoscopic techniques.
What is Uterine Sarcoma?
Uterine sarcoma is a type of uterine cancer that forms in muscle or other tissues of the uterus (womb). It is most common after menopause. About 1,600 women will be diagnosed with uterine sarcoma in the U.S. every year. Unlike carcinoma, sarcoma grows in tissues such as muscle, fat, bone, and fibrous tissue.
There are two main types of uterine sarcoma:
- Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): Cancer begins in smooth muscle cells surrounding the uterus.
- Endometrial stromal sarcoma: Cancer begins in connective tissue cells.
Symptoms
- 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
Diagnosis
Uterine sarcoma often has mild symptoms in its early stages, which may delay diagnosis and complicate treatment. For suspected uterine sarcoma, tests may include a pelvic exam, pap test, and transvaginal ultrasound. In most cases, the only conclusive way to diagnose uterine sarcoma is by removing a small tissue sample (biopsy) and having a pathologist look for cancer cells under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer, the type and size of the tumor, the patient’s general health, and whether the cancer is new or recurrent. In some cases, uterine sarcoma can be treated with surgery to remove the uterus and as much of the cancer as possible.
Most women who have been treated with a morcellator have already had their uterus removed. Because morcellators spread uterine sarcoma throughout the abdomen, surgery alone is not usually very effective. Patients usually need more aggressive treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and more.
Resources & Additional Info
- What is Uterine Sarcoma? — American Cancer Society
- Uterine Sarcoma Treatment — National Cancer Institute
Need a Uterine Sarcoma Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas uterine sarcoma lawyers for a free lawsuit review.