Ovarian Cancer Risk-Reduction and Screening in BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers.

Objective: To determine the utilization of risk-reducing strategies and screening protocols for ovarian cancer in female BRCA1/2 carriers. Methods: This study was a sub-analysis of female participants from a larger multicenter, cross-sectional survey of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers unaffected by cancer. The questionnaire was administered electronically via email at four institutions located in the northeast United States. Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test. Results: The survey was completed by 104 female BRCA mutation carriers. BRCA subtypes included 54.3% BRCA2, 41.0% BRCA1, and 2.9% both. The age at which patients underwent genetic testing varied 21.2% were 18-24 years, 25.0% were 25-34 years, 29.8% were 35-44 years, and 24.0% were 45 years or older. Nearly, all respondents (97.1%) reported that a provider had discussed risk-reducing surgeries. Of the 79 females who underwent genetic testing before 45 years of age, 53.2% reported that a health care provider recommended taking combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer, and, of these women, 88.1% chose to use them. COCs were offered at higher rates among women who were younger at the age of genetic testing (18-24: 86%, 25-34: 62%, 35-44: 23%; p < 0.0001). Approximately half (55.8%) of the respondents reported having been offered increased screening for possible early detection of ovarian cancer, of which 81.0% chose to undergo screening. The majority utilized a combination of transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA125 measurements. There were no differences observed in screening utilization based on BRCA mutation type. Conclusion: In our cohort of female BRCA mutation carriers, risk-reducing surgery was offered to almost all women, whereas only half were offered risk-reducing medication and/or increased screening. Further investigation is needed to identify barriers to the utilization of risk-reducing strategies among this high-risk population.

Barriers to hormone therapy following prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify barriers to hormone therapy (HT) use among women with BRCA1/2 mutations after prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). METHODS: A cross-sectional, electronic survey was conducted of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers at Women and Infants Hospital, Yale Medical Center, Hartford Healthcare, and Maine Medical Center. This study was a subanalysis of a subset of female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who had undergone a prophylactic BSO. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test or t test. RESULTS: We performed a subanalysis of 60 BRCA mutation carriers who underwent a prophylactic BSO. Only 24 women (40%) reported ever using HT. HT use was higher in women who underwent their prophylactic BSO at age younger than 45 years (51% vs. 25%, P = 0.06). Among all women who had a prophylactic BSO, the majority (73%) reported that a provider talked to them about using HT. Two thirds reported having seen contradictory information in the media about long-term consequences of HT. Seventy percent listed their provider as the primary influence in their decision to start HT. The most common reasons for not starting HT included it not being recommended by their physician (46%) and that it was not necessary (37%). CONCLUSIONS: BRCA mutation carriers frequently undergo prophylactic BSO at young ages, and less than half report using HT. This study highlights barriers to HT use, such as patient fears and physician discouragement, and identifies potential areas to improve educational efforts.

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment: Moving Beyond BRCA 1 and 2.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 12.3% of all women (about 1 in 8) would be diagnosed with breast cancer throughout their lifetime. In 2015, a projected 231,840 new cases are expected in the United States, accompanied by 40,290 deaths. Presently, breast cancer is responsible for 6.8% of all cancer deaths, and roughly 30% of all cancers in women. Since the discovery of the BRCA gene in 1994, efforts have been made to develop effective screening methods for breast cancer detection. Although the BRCA gene certainly opened the door to breast cancer genetics, a wide variety of new genes have recently been linked to breast cancer risk, and the tools to screen for genes beyond just BRCA1 and BRCA2 are available. However, the indications for both screening and prevention of inherited predispositions beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2 are not entirely clear, and as a result, much of the ongoing work is aimed at determining the role of broader genetic screening in women deemed at sufficiently high risk for breast cancer based on family history. On this topic, we provide a brief overview of the genes associated with breast cancer risk as well as the technological platforms available to patients. We conclude by discussing recommendations of expert groups and what they practically mean for patients.

Clinical characteristics and choices regarding risk-reducing surgery in BRCA mutation carriers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: BRCA mutation carriers have a high lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian malignancies. As genetic testing becomes widely available, preventative measures are a choice. We evaluated the characteristics of BRCA mutation carriers who chose prophylactic surgery (PS) compared to those who opted for surveillance. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes was performed. RESULTS: Ninety women were included, of whom 46 (51%) underwent PS. They were more likely to be a BRCA2 mutation carrier, parous, married, employed, and had a prior history of breast cancer. PS included 39 bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies and 13 mastectomies. Pathology was typically benign; however, 15% showed ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, 8% reported infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, 3% was adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube, and 3% was adenocarcinoma of the ovary. CONCLUSION: It is notable that BRCA1 mutation carriers were less inclined to elect for PS. Evaluating the reasons for pursuing PS among women with a BRCA mutation is necessary and will require a larger data set. Long-term follow-up is required to describe the potential side effects of PS on quality of life.

A case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with breast cancer, bilateral sex cord tumor with annular tubules, and adenoma malignum caused by STK11 gene mutation.

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, and women with this syndrome are at an increased risk of developing intestinal and extraintestinal malignancies including breast and gynecologic malignancies. This case report presents a patient with PJS with a concomitant breast cancer, bilateral stromal tumors with annular tubules of the ovaries, and adenoma malignum of the cervix. CASE: A 43-year-old woman presented with an advanced-stage breast cancer and a pelvic mass. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by laparotomy with a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. Final pathologic examination revealed a concomitant breast cancer with metastasis to the ovaries, bilateral stromal tumors with annular tubules of the ovaries, and adenoma malignum of the cervix. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PJS are at a high risk for intestinal and extraintestinal malignancies and can present with multiple concomitant malignancies.