Epidemiologic correlates of ovarian cortical inclusion cysts (CICs) support a dual precursor pathway to pelvic epithelial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Many ovarian carcinomas are presumed to arise within ovarian cortical inclusion cysts (CICs). This study examined the frequency of ovarian CICs in relation to epidemiologic risk factors in women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA+) mutations.


METHODS
BRCA+ women who underwent risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were studied (n=74). Fifteen demographic variables (e.g., age at time of surgery, age at first birth, age at menopause, body mass index (BMI), gravidity) from a review of the medical records and three pathologic variables (cystic and atretic follicles, corpora lutea) were recorded. Statistical associations were made using T-test or Chi Square analysis and logistic regression analysis for p-trend.


RESULTS
Women whose ovaries contained 7 for more CICs were older at first birth (p=0.034), surgery (p=0.059), menopause (p=0.046) and had a higher BMI (p=0.034) than those with <7 CICs. Regression analysis revealed a significant association between CICs and increasing BMI (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
CICs correlate with greater body mass index, similar to low-grade serous and endometrioid tumors and in contrast to high-grade serous carcinoma and its putative precursor in the fallopian tube. A model is presented for ovarian and tubal pathways to pelvic cancer that are linked to different microscopic precursors with distinct epidemiologic correlates.
Folkins
Ann K
AK
From the Divisions of Women's and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Amory 3-127, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Saleemuddin
Aasia
A
From the Divisions of Women's and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Amory 3-127, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Garrett
Leslie A
LA
Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA.
Garber
Judy E
JE
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, USA.
Muto
Michael G
MG
Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USA.
Tworoger
Shelley S
SS
The Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA.
Crum
Christopher P
CP
From the Divisions of Women's and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Amory 3-127, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: ccrum@partners.org.
D000328:Adult; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D016158:Genes, p53; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult