Laboratory Determination of Hereditary Susceptibility to Breast and Ovarian Cancer

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (11) ◽  
pp. 1023-1026
Author(s):  
Tom S. Frank

Abstract Inherited mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer, particularly before the age of 50 years, as well as an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Patients with early-onset breast cancer or ovarian cancer at any age with a family history of either disease are at higher risk of carrying a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. Laboratory analysis of these genes can determine whether a patient has inherited an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In the absence of a mutation that has been previously identified in a family member, most tests for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer risk analyze the entire coding sequences of BRCA1 and BRCA2. The gene sequencing process itself can be automated, but the data must be interpreted by an individual with training in molecular diagnostics. Management options generally available to individuals with hereditary susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer include heightened surveillance, prophylactic surgery, and chemoprevention. The use of genetic techniques to identify women with increased risk of cancer demonstrates the application of recent advances in the understanding of the genetic basis of malignancy to laboratory medicine and clinical care.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kathleen Ladd ◽  
Beth N Peshkin ◽  
Leigha Senter ◽  
Shari Baldinger ◽  
Claudine Isaacs ◽  
...  

Abstract Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) are increasingly used to reduce breast and ovarian cancer risk following BRCA1/BRCA2 testing. However, little is known about how genetic counseling influences decisions about these surgeries. Although previous studies have examined intentions prior to counseling, few have examined RRM and RRSO intentions in the critical window between genetic counseling and test result disclosure. Previous research has indicated that intentions at this time point predict subsequent uptake of surgery, suggesting that much decision-making has taken place prior to result disclosure. This period may be a critical time to better understand the drivers of prophylactic surgery intentions. The aim of this study was to examine predictors of RRM and RRSO intentions. We hypothesized that variables from the Health Belief Model would predict intentions, and we also examined the role of affective factors. Participants were 187 women, age 21–75, who received genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. We utilized multiple logistic regression to identify independent predictors of intentions. 49.2% and 61.3% of participants reported intentions for RRM and RRSO, respectively. Variables associated with RRM intentions include: newly diagnosed with breast cancer (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.20–11.04), perceived breast cancer risk (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.17–1.81), perceived pros (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.38–2.32) and cons of RRM (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.65–0.996), and decision conflict (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.66–0.98). Variables associated with RRSO intentions include: proband status (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.09–0.89), perceived pros (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.11–1.63) and cons of RRSO (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.59–0.89), and ambiguity aversion (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65–0.95). These data provide support for the role of genetic counseling in fostering informed decisions about risk management, and suggest that the role of uncertainty should be explored further.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. S31-S33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ami Fishman

Knowledge of the potential association of parity, breastfeeding, and infertility treatment on breast and ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers is important and should be a crucial part of genetic counseling. The discussion of parity and clinical management of infertility in these women is complex, and patient preferences should be considered. Ideally, these preferences should be informed by accurate information on the risks and benefits of the interventions considered. However, this important subject has been investigated in a relatively small number of studies, thus, the existing data remain somewhat limited, and the estimated risk of cancer in BRCA mutation carriers is imprecise.


1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 2417-2425 ◽  
Author(s):  
T S Frank ◽  
S A Manley ◽  
O I Olopade ◽  
S Cummings ◽  
J E Garber ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Previous studies of mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have used detection methods that may underestimate the actual frequency of mutations and have analyzed women using heterogeneous criteria for risk of hereditary cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 238 women with breast cancer before age 50 or ovarian cancer at any age and at least one first- or second-degree relative with either diagnosis underwent sequence analysis of BRCA1 followed by analysis of BRCA2 (except for 27 women who declined analysis of BRCA2 after a deleterious mutation was discovered in BRCA1). Results were correlated with personal and family history of malignancy. RESULTS Deleterious mutations were identified in 94 (39%) women, including 59 of 117 (50%) from families with ovarian cancer and 35 of 121 (29%) from families without ovarian cancer. Mutations were identified in 14 of 70 (20%) women with just one other relative who developed breast cancer before age 50. In women with breast cancer, mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 were associated with a 10-fold increased risk of subsequent ovarian carcinoma (P = .005). CONCLUSION Because mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in women with breast cancer are associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, analysis of these genes should be considered for women diagnosed with breast cancer who have a high probability of carrying a mutation according to the statistical model developed with these data.


Cancers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
Jordi Minguillón ◽  
María José Ramírez ◽  
Llorenç Rovirosa ◽  
Pilar Bustamante-Madrid ◽  
Cristina Camps-Fajol ◽  
...  

BRCA2 is essential for homologous recombination DNA repair. BRCA2 mutations lead to genome instability and increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Similarly, mutations in BRCA2-interacting proteins are also known to modulate sensitivity to DNA damage agents and are established cancer risk factors. Here we identify the tumor suppressor CDK5RAP3 as a novel BRCA2 helical domain-interacting protein. CDK5RAP3 depletion induced DNA damage resistance, homologous recombination and single-strand annealing upregulation, and reduced spontaneous and DNA damage-induced genomic instability, suggesting that CDK5RAP3 negatively regulates double-strand break repair in the S-phase. Consistent with this cellular phenotype, analysis of transcriptomic data revealed an association between low CDK5RAP3 tumor expression and poor survival of breast cancer patients. Finally, we identified common genetic variations in the CDK5RAP3 locus as potentially associated with breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Our results uncover CDK5RAP3 as a critical player in DNA repair and breast cancer outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 889
Author(s):  
Ava Kwong ◽  
Cecilia Y. S. Ho ◽  
Vivian Y. Shin ◽  
Chun Hang Au ◽  
Tsun Leung Chan ◽  
...  

The germline carrier of the BRCA1 pathogenic mutation has been well proven to confer an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Despite BRCA1 biallelic pathogenic mutations being extremely rare, they have been reported to be embryonically lethal or to cause Fanconi anemia (FA). Here we describe a patient who was a 48-year-old female identified with biallelic pathogenic mutations of the BRCA1 gene, with no or very subtle FA-features. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and breast cancer at the ages of 43 and 44 and had a strong family history of breast and gynecological cancers.


2016 ◽  

Aims and Objectives: To report a series of cases with breast and ovarian carcinomas either in same patient or in a family and identifying the importance of BRCA 1,2 genetic testing in such individuals. Materials and Methods: The medical records of breast and ovarian cancer patients operated over past 3 years at a single institute were reviewed retrospectively and their clinical profile, family history, final pathological reports and follow up data was collected. Results: 8 patients were found to have breast and ovarian malignancies, out of which 3 had synchronous breast and ovarian cancers, 4 had metachronous and 1 patient with ovarian cancer had history of breast cancer in family. Median age of presentation to the hospital was 47 years and median time interval in metachronous disease patients was 5.5 years. Conclusion: About 5% of people who have breast cancer and about 10% of women who have ovarian cancer have HBOC, caused by germline mutation in BRCA1, 2 gene. These individuals have increased risk of developing breast cancer at younger age, TNBC, or developing a second primary in breast or ovary plus an overall risk of breast/ovarian/prostate/pancreatic malignancies in other family members due to inheritable mutation. Identification of BRCA mutation in such individuals can help family members to undergo genetic counseling and follow different screening and prevention guidelines from general population thus reducing the cancer risks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiqing Liu ◽  
Shumin Ma ◽  
Lei Liang ◽  
Zhiyong Kou ◽  
Hongbin Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Studies on the XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism show that this polymorphism is involved in a variety of cancers, but its specific relationships or effects are not consistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between rs1799794 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for eligible studies through June 11, 2019. All analyses were performed with Stata 14.0. Subgroup analyses were performed by cancer type, ethnicity, source of control, and detection method. A total of 37 studies with 23,537 cases and 30,649 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results XRCC3 rs1799794 increased cancer risk in the dominant model and heterozygous model (GG + AG vs. AA: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.08, P = 0.051; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.01, P = 0.015). The existence of rs1799794 increased the risk of breast cancer and thyroid cancer, but reduced the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, rs1799794 increased the risk of cancer in the Caucasian population. Conclusion This meta-analysis confirms that XRCC3 rs1799794 is related to cancer risk, especially increased risk for breast cancer and thyroid cancer and reduced risk for ovarian cancer. However, well-designed large-scale studies are required to further evaluate the results.


Author(s):  
Christian F. Singer ◽  
Yen Y. Tan ◽  
Christine Rappaport

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to review the legal implications, the technology, the indications and the management of women with a familial background of breast and/or ovarian cancer.MethodsWe have reviewed the literature and national Austrian guidelines to describe the uptake of genetic counseling and the management options offered in Austria.ResultsGenetic testing for theConclusionWhile readily available country-wide counseling has led to an increase in counseling and testing, Austrian legislation mandates “non-directional counseling” resulting in a comparatively low uptake of prophylactic surgery.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Steven A Narod

Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations has become an important part of the practice of medical oncology and clinical genetics over the past decade. Increasing numbers of women are requesting a genetic test so that they may better understand their personal risks of breast and ovarian cancer, and so that they may take appropriate measures to reduce the risk. Several of the risk factors can be modified, including breastfeeding and the use of oral contraceptives. A significant number of women opt for preventive mastectomy or oophorectomy, which will dramatically reduce the risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Chemoprevention with tamoxifen is still uncommon, largely due to women's fears of the side effects of the drug. A number of studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging is superior to conventional mammography in terms of the early detection of breast cancer in the high-risk population. This article explores what is known about assessing genetic risk and the evidence supporting a range of preventive strategies.


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