Myoma morcellation and leiomyosarcoma panic

Excerpt

In a press release in April 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration [1] discourages doctors from using laparoscopic power morcellators in removing fibroids or myomatotic uteri in order to reduce the risk of sarcomatous cell escape. The US-based company Johnson & Johnson, the largest manufacturer of the devices, halted global sales and distribution of power morcellators, while many hospitals in USA ban the use of morcellation under these circumstances. Patients’ safety and wellbeing especially after surgery is a common and primary concern of surgeons and hospitals; however, there is no reliable way to determine if a uterine fibroid contains a sarcoma prior to removal. Patients should know that the use of laparoscopic power morcellation for hysterectomy or myomectomy may deteriorate their survival rate in case of a sarcoma, and they should discuss the risks and benefits of the available treatment options with their health care professionals. …