II. Labs: Gene Markers
- Most common types (>20 mutations have been identified)
- BRCA (BRCA1, BRCA2): 60% of Breast Cancer gene mutations
- BRCA mutation Prevalence: 1 in 400 overall (1 in 40 in Ashkenazi jewish heritage)
- Autosomal Dominant inheritance
- AT (Ataxia Telangiectasia) on Chromosome 11
- Single mutant copy
- Confers 5 fold risk of Breast Cancer
- PTEN gene (Cowden syndrome)
- CDH1 gene (hereditary diffuse Gastric Cancer)
- TP53 gene (Li-Fraumeni syndrome)
- STK11 gene (Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome)
III. Indications: BRCA testing (>5 to 10% pretest probability)
- Person with Family History of Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer and known BRCA mutation
- Ashkenazi jewish women
- 1st degree relative with Breast or Ovarian Cancer or
- Two 2nd deg. relatives with Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Non-Ashkenazi women
- First degree relatives
- Two with Breast Cancer (at least 1 under age 50)
- One with bilateral Breast Cancer
- First or second degree relatives
- Three with Breast Cancer
- Comorbid Breast and Ovarian Cancer at any age
- Two or more with Ovarian Cancer
- Extended family
- Breast Cancer in any male relative (third degree or closer)
- First degree relatives
- Personal history of Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer diagnosed at age <45 years
- Breast Cancer diagnosed at age <50 years AND at least one additional criteria
- At least one blood relative (third degree or closer) with Breast or Ovarian Cancer (or variants)
- Two primary Breast Cancers
- Limited Family History
- Breast Cancer diagnosed at age <60 years AND at least one additional criteria
- Triple negative Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer diagnosed at any age AND at least one additional criteria
- Ethnicity with high mutation frequency (e.g. Ashkenazi Jewish)
- Personal history or Family History (third degree or closer) of male Breast Cancer
- At least two blood relatives (third degree or closer) on same side of family AND one of the following
- Breast or Ovarian Cancer (or one at age <50 years)
- Pancreatic Cancer or aggressive Prostate Cancer (Gleason>=7)
- Personal history of other cancers
- Personal history of epithelial ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer or aggressive Prostate Cancer (Gleason>=7)
IV. Management: Known BRCA1 or BRCA2 carrier
-
BRCA1 Lifetime Risks
- See BRCA1
- Breast Cancer in Women: 50-80%
- Second primary Breast Cancer 27% within 5 years
- Breast Cancer in Men: 1 to 2%
- Ovarian Cancer risk: 18 to 40% (up to 54% in some studies)
- Prostate Cancer: <30%
- Pancreatic Cancer: 1 to 3%
-
BRCA2 Lifetime Risks
- See BRCA2
- Breast Cancer in Women: 40 to 70% (up to 90% in some studies)
- Second primary Breast Cancer 12% within 5 years (40 to 50% at 20 years)
- Breast Cancer in Men: 5 to 10%
- Ovarian Cancer risk: 11-20%
- Prostate Cancer: <40%
- Pancreatic Cancer: 2 to 7%
- Melanoma
-
Breast Cancer Risk Management in Women
- Surveillance starting at age 25 years
- Self Breast Exam Monthly (start at age 18 years)
- Clinical Breast Exam every 6 months
- Breast MRI with contrast yearly (start at age 25 years)
- Mammogram yearly (start at age 30 years)
- Perform BOTH MRI and Mammogram as of age 30 years
- Prophylactic Mastectomy
- Breast Cancer can still occur
- References
- Garber in Harris (1996) Diseases Breast p. 335-41
- Surveillance starting at age 25 years
- Ovarian Cancer Risk Management
- No clear evidence-based guidelines
- Screening typically identifies Ovarian Cancer in late stages (stage 3 and 4)
- Prophylactic Oophorectomy is the most effective strategy
- NCCN guidelines (esp. BRCA1) for intact ovaries
- Test every 6 months from age 35
- Tests
- No clear evidence-based guidelines
- Men with BRCA positive status
- Self Breast Exam monthly starting at age 35 years
- Mammogram (if enough Breast tissue or Gynecomastia to allow for Mammogram)
- Start yearly at age 50 years (or 10 years before youngest relative with Breast Cancer)
- Prostate Cancer Screening starting at age 40 years (BRCA2)
- Melanoma Skin Cancer screening
- Annual full body skin exam
- Skin Cancer Prevention (Sunscreen and other measures to reduce UV exposure)
V. References
- Lypas (2018) Forum of Clinical Oncology 7(2): 16-24
- Casaubon (2022) BRCA 1 and 2, StatPearls, Treasure Island +PMID: 29262038 [PubMed]
- Daly (2021) J Natl Compr Canc Netw 19(1): 77-102 [PubMed]