Association between polycystic ovary and fibrocystic breast disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether or not there was an association between a polycystic ovary (PCO) and fibrocystic breast disease based on ultrasound findings, both pelvic and mammographic. Design: Prospe ctive case-control study. Population: Women aged between 18 and 30 years no t using oral contraceptives attending the outpatient ultrasound clinic from January 1996 to December 1998. Main Outcome: Confirm the association betwe en PCO and fibrocystic breast disease. Results: According to the ultrasound findings, women were allocated to th ree groups: 351 out of 456 showed nor mal-appearing ovaries (group A), 93 had polycystic-appearing ovaries/PCO (g roup B) and 12 had PCO syndrome (group C). In group A, 24 (6.83%) women sho wed breast pathology. In group B, there was an association between PCO and breast pathology in 53 (56.98%) women, while in group C it was noted in 11 out of 12 (91%). Conclusion: This study showed a significant association be tween PCO and benign pathology. This should encourage the performance of a screening breast sonography on women with PCO, Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.