title: Impact of lifestyle factors on preneoplastic changes in prophylactic oophorectomies of BRCA mutation carriers.
abstract: BRCA mutation carriers are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian malignancies are usually identified at an advanced stage with poor prognosis, attributed to inadequate options of early detection. Because of its risk-reducing effect of nearly 96%, prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy is still the leading option for risk-reduction in women with a positive BRCA mutation status. The presence of ovarian cancer precursor lesions, such as epithelial inclusion cysts (EICs) or cortical invaginations (CIs), has previously been discussed in several studies with diverse conclusions. We retrospectively investigated a large and consistent population (n=94) of BRCA mutation carriers for the presence of potential preneoplastic and neoplastic changes. We also examined the role of specific lifestyle factors. Ninety-four women with disease-associated germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were included in this retrospective study. All women had undergone genetic counseling and prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, which was performed at a mean age of 43.33 years (range 27-66). Histological slides of both ovaries were reviewed by an independent pathologist. Data concerning lifestyle factors were collected from medical files and questionnaires. Two malignant lesions (2.1%), one bilateral serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the epithelial surface and one adenocarcinoma of the peritoneum with involvement of the left adnexa, and one lesion (1.1%) with obvious malignant potential, one mucinous borderline tumor of the right ovary, have been identified. We registered a high prevalence of CIs (30; 31.9%) and EICs (44; 46.8%) in prophylactically removed ovaries of BRCA mutation carriers. A significant correlation (P=0.002) was found with regard to the presence of EICs in women with increased BMI. Concerning the regular consumption of alcohol as a risk factor for premalignant lesions, in particular CIs, a statistically insignificant trend (P=0.083) was noted. Overweight women seem to be at risk of developing more cortical invaginations than women of normal weight. To improve the final outcome of the disease, women at increased risk of ovarian cancer should be appropriately informed of potential increased risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser-Franz-Josef Spital, Vienna, Austria. helga.primas@chello.at
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Primas
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kroiss
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalteis
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rappaport
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muhr
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Primas
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kubista
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oefner
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wagner And The Austrian Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Group
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors