J&J voluntarily withdraws all fibroid removal devices amid increasing concern of cancer spread

Johnson & Johnson is asking surgeons not to use a line of devices for removing growths from the uterus amid regulators' growing concern that the electronic surgical tools raise the risk of spreading cancer to other parts of the body.

In April, J&J suspended sales of the devices, known as laparoscopic power morcellators, after the Food and Drug Administration discouraged doctors from using them. Surgeons use the devices to treat painful fibroids, either by removing the growths themselves or the entire uterus.

J&J said Wednesday it is conducting a worldwide withdrawal of all its morcellators still on the market. The company cited an FDA meeting earlier this month that reinforced "the complexity of this issue."

FDA is weighing regulatory actions to reduce the risk of cancer spread.