Johnson and Johnson subsidiary Ethicon has decided to withdraw its controversial power morcellator tool from the market, reports NJ.com. The tool was suspected of inadvertently spreading cancer cells during hysterectomies. Ethicon’s decision to withdraw their product from the market comes on the heels of a two-day hearing on the risks by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Earlier this year, in April, the FDA put out a news release and a safety communication warning of the possible risk. The FDA even went so far as to “discourage use” of power morcellation for the removal of the uterus (known as hysterectomy) or uterine fibroids (known as myomectomy). In particular, there is a risk of spreading uterine sarcomas that are not suspected or known to be cancerous tissues.

Ethicon’s tool is used in minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery, allowing the surgeon to mince uterine tissue and vacuum it out through a small incision. The risk is that, in the process, some tissue can splatter throughout the abdominal cavity. Alarmingly, if there is undetectable cancer embedded in the fibroid, that cancer could instantly become Stage 4, or metastatic, cancer.

Hospitals have been asked to return the devices. Still, some surgeons have asked to continue offering the morcellation option, but with a more detailed consent form or a bag added on to trap and remove minced tissue. In general, hospital administrators have overruled these requests. After the FDA’s earlier warning, Ethicon stopped selling the device and has now moved forward to remove them from use.