Abstract:
To determine any association between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and the
subsequent development of endometrial cancer in Sri Lankan women. Hospital-based casecontrol study of known patients with endometrial carcinoma being followed up at Cancer
Institute Maharagama and controls who were free of cancer accessed at well woman clinic,
Castle Street Hospital for Women and Cancer Institute. The method of sampling was based
on convenience. A single interviewer administered questionnaire was applied to obtain data
on features suggestive of PCOS during their reproductive years and also demographic
details of those with endometrial cancer. PCOS as a risk factor for the subsequent
development of endometrial cancer was evaluated using odds ratio and appropriate tests of
significance. The study group consisted of 71(33 percent } cases and 144(67 percent }
controls. Mean age of endometrial cancer patients at diagnosis was 57.2±9.4 years; their
average age at menarche was 13 years (range 11-17) and 14(19.7 percent } were
nulliparous. The endometrial cancer group had 19(26.8 percent } with established type 2
diabetes and 21(29.65 percent } with treated hypertension. Categorization by current age
had 11 cases ~ 50 years of age and 60 cases 50 years of age. PCOS as determined by the
questionnaire was observed in 4(36 percent } cases ~ 50 years of age vs. 7(11,6 percent }
cases 50 years of age, p=0.018. :A cohort of women with endometrial cancer attending
Cancer Institute revealed they were more obese than normal women, had type 2 diabetes and
hypertension at a prevalence rate of 26.8 percent and 29.65 percent respectively. Overall
the probable PCOS and development of endometrial cancer was not significant. However
PCOS was seen in a greater proportion of endometrial cancer patients whose diagnosis of
cancer had been made at or below the age of 50 years in comparison to those whose
diagnosis had been made after the age of 50 years
