What Is Incidence of Ovarian Cancer in Polycystic Ovary Disease?

by Jules Stark

Overview

Polycystic ovary disease, also called polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, is a health condition that causes many small cysts to form in the ovaries. Although PCOS is linked to some forms of cancer, it is unlikely to result in ovarian cancer.
Symptoms

Polycystic ovary disease can affect your hormones, fertility, menstrual cycle and even your appearance. Symptoms may include irregular periods, ovarian cysts, infertility, diabetes, pelvic pain, baldness, hirsutism or increased body hair growth, sleep apnea and high cholesterol.

Cause

According to the National Women's Health Information Center, the cause of polycystic ovary disease is unknown, although genetics, insulin and hormones are thought to play a role. The bodies of women with PCOS tend to have problems using insulin, which results in an excess of insulin that may contribute to high levels of the hormone androgen.
Complications

Infertility, high blood pressure and diabetes can arise as complications of polycystic ovary disease. The condition also has a strong link to endometrial cancer and may raise your risk for breast cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Ovarian Cancer

Professor Adam Balen at the Leeds General Infirmary states that a direct link between polycystic ovary disease and ovarian cancer is unlikely. There may be an association between ovarian cancer and some older ovulation-inducing drugs prescribed to treat PCOS infertility that are no longer in regular use.
Treatment

Polycystic ovary disease must be managed to relieve symptoms and reduce complications, as there is no cure. Many women will need a combination of treatments like fertility medications, diabetes medications, birth control pills and surgery.

Overview