Ovarian cancer associated with testosterone supplementation in a female-to-male transsexual patient

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic malignancy. Women often present late and though median survival has improved, a majority of women will succumb to their disease. The incidence of ovarian cancer among female-to-male transsexuals is not known. We report only the second case of ovarian cancer in a female-to-male transsexual while on androgen supplementation therapy. Staining of his tumor for androgen receptors showed abundant expression. Androgen supplementation in this population may be associated with an increased risk of both ovarian cancer and of endometrial cancer. Consideration for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as part of gender reassignment surgery should be given, especially in this poorly studied group of patients whose overall risk of ovarian cancer remains unknown.