A common procedure used to perform hysterectomies with minimal invasiveness has been shown by research to increase the risk of spreading cancer. Women over the age of 65 appear to be the most vulnerable to this potentially deadly complication.

The specific procedure responsible for this increased risk is called morcellation. It involves cutting the tissue of the uterus into small pieces and removing them through small incisions. Problems arise when women undergoing the procedure end up having previously undetected uterine cancer. The process of cutting up the tissue can result in the cancerous tissues being cut as well, which allows malignant cells to travel throughout the abdomen freely.

Experts say that procedures to remove the uterus that leave it intact are more invasive but essentially eliminate the risk of accidentally spreading cancer.

According to research, around 27 out of every 10,000 women who undergo morcellation procedure hysterectomies have cancer that spreads after the surgery. Researchers got this figure after studying data from more than 500 hospitals. They found that out of 36,000 hysterectomies performed with morcellation techniques, 99 subsequent cases of cancer were found.

Data also suggests that the risk increases with age. Six women under the age of 40 were found to have cancer, while 24 women aged 65 and up were diagnosed post-operation. This represents a 36 percent increase in the chance of being diagnosed.

The CDC reports that there are around a half million hysterectomies performed in the United States each year.

Concerns about the morcellation procedure are not new. In April 2014, the FDA responded to research on the topic and recommended that surgeons avoid using the procedure in attempts to mitigate the risks.

Information regarding the increase of risk with age is important to know when discussing the possibility of utilizing the procedure, researchers say. If age presents an increased chance of unrecognized cancer, then conducting the procedure on older women may present a greater risk than benefit.