The hysterectomy method that may spread cancer

A new study published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that hysterectomies performed using the minimally invasive power morcellation method carry a risk of spreading undetected cancers.

During a morcellation hysterectomy, surgeons cut uterine tissue into small fragments and remove the fragments through small incisions in the abdomen via a tube or laparoscope. By breaking up a uterus that possibly contains undetected cancer, you could be breaking up the cancer itself and causing it to spread to other parts of the body.

This risk of spreading undetected cancer is not present during a conventional hysterectomy because the uterus is left intact.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women in the Unites States and may be performed for problems including cancer, fibroids, endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain.