The surgical tool Morcellator receives a warning from the FDA: says can spread cancer in women -

The surgical tool Morcellator receives a warning from the FDA: says can spread cancer in women

Nov 25, 2014 Ruchira Dhoke News 0

“The FDA issues warning against the use of morcellator, a surgical instrument used to remove uterine fibroids with the fear of spreading undetected fibroids.”

A morcellator is a surgical instrument which is used for the removal of fibroids or large masses of tissues during laparoscopic surgery.

The procedure of thelaparoscopic hysterectomyinvolves grinding of the uterus inside the woman’s abdominal cavity in order to extract it from the abdomen. The cause of concern expressed by the FDA is that there are a vast majority of women who are getting their fibroids removed by using the morcellators, which grind up a woman’s uterus can spread undetected cancer in themand should only be used in very specific cases.

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According to the facts given by the FDA ,as many as one in every 350 women having the procedure to remove uterine fibroids have tumors in the uterus that haven’t been diagnosed, and using the morcellators can break them up and allowing the spread of the tumors inside the woman’s body.

Dr. William Maisel, FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, addressed the reporters and said that “We believe that in the vast majority of women, the procedure should not be performed”.

The main group of representing gynecologists have reacted to this warning by saying that the FDA’s guidance is confusing and doesn’t take into account all the variables and uncertainties. According to them the morcellators are commonly used to remove fibroids but they are also used in other procedures like removing a prolapsed uterus which pose a much lower risk.

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The FDA have said that in spite of issuing a prior warning the doctors are still using it , thus requiring a more clear labeling system which can limit its use especially in women who are risk of having undetected cancer.

Dr. Hal Lawrence, executive vice president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a statement saying that “I am not saying that we totally disagree with the FDA.I think the way it’s stated is a little confusing.”

According to him the problem is unavailability of a good distinguishing test between a tumor and a fibroid, which is almost always a benign growth on the uterus and a tumor or a pre-cancerous growth.

“The overwhelming majority of fibroids are totally benign fibroids. In addition there are some important benefits to using morcellators. They can help reduce the dangers of more invasive surgery, so women can recover faster.” he said.

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Cancer, FDA, FDA news, Laparoscopy, morcellator, Uterine Fibroids

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Ruchira Dhoke

A qualified medical microbiologist with an avidity to read enchant a deep passion for creating a good impacting masterpiece with my words .I am very fond of good old English literature and like listening to music and paint in my free time.