Prophylactic mastectomy in familial breast carcinoma. What do the pathologic findings learn us?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the indications, techniques and pathologic findings of prophylactic mastectomy (pME).


METHODS
Retrospective study of patients with a strong family history of breast cancer (and ovarian cancer) or with proven BRCA mutation.


RESULTS
Between January 1995 and December 2005, sixty seven patients underwent pME: 15% had a BRCA1 mutation, 31% had a BRCA2 mutation and 33% had a strong family history but without proven BRCA mutation and in 21% mutation analysis was not performed. Fifty eight percent had a personal history of breast cancer of which 84% previously underwent a unilateral mastectomy as part of their treatment. The median time to decision from previous treatment for breast carcinoma to pME was 46 months. Mean age at pME was 43 years. Pathologic examination of the pME specimens revealed invasive and/or in situ carcinoma in 19% (13/67). Atypical ductal/lobular hyperplasia (ADH/ALH) or flat epithelial atypia (FEA) were present in another 3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty two percent of women at high risk for breast cancer presented at the time of pME with invasive carcinoma or intra-epithelial neoplasia undetected by imaging and clinical examination.
Leunen
Karin
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Multidisciplinary Breast Centre, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. kleunen@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Drijkoningen
Maria
M
Neven
Patrick
P
Christiaens
Maria-Rose
MR
Van Ongeval
Chantal
C
Legius
Eric
E
Amant
Frédéric
F
Berteloot
Patrick
P
Vergote
Ignace
I
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors