Preventive mastectomy in patients at breast cancer risk due to genetic alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene.
BACKGROUND
The availability of genetic testing for inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene provides potentially valuable information to women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.


OBJECTIVE
We review the literature on the value of prophylactic surgical strategies in patients with hereditary predisposition to develop breast cancer and discuss the surgical options available in high-risk cancer patients, decision analyses, and possible complications.


RESULTS
Preventive surgical interventions to reduce cancer risk in high-risk patients are often strongly recommended. A patient's life-time risk to develop breast cancer in the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is 50-90%. Despite the reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy often leads to significant physical and psychological sequelae.
Taucher
Susanne
S
Department of Surgery, Medical School, Vienna University, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. susanne.taucher@univie.ac.at
Gnant
Michael
M
Jakesz
Raimund
R
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy