title: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe in Women With a BRCA Mutation?: A Systematic Review of the Contemporary Literature.
abstract: Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are recommended to undergo prophylactic (or risk reducing) bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) before age 40, resulting in surgical menopause. Given the concerns of estrogen deprivation on overall health, hormone therapy (HT) is often discussed, yet safety concerns persist.
  
  
  
  We performed a systematic literature review of the safety of HT in women with a BRCA mutation undergoing prophylactic BSO.
  
  
  
  Although there remains a paucity of data on this topic, as evidenced by this systematic review of the contemporary literature, these patients do benefit from treatment, especially as it relates to menopausal symptoms without an apparently increased risk of breast cancer.
  
  
  
  Decisions regarding the use of HT in women who undergo BSO after detection of a BRCA mutation must be individualized based on careful consideration of the risks and benefits. However, the risks of a subsequent cancer diagnosis appear small, particularly in regards to the benefits of treatment afforded by HT.
authors: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Birrer
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Chinchilla
authors: Marcela
authors: M
authors: Del Carmen
authors: Don S
authors: DS
authors: Dizon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008594:Menopause, Premature; D009154:Mutation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D065286:Prophylactic Surgical Procedures; D000074868:Salpingo-oophorectomy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; C492913:BRCA1 protein, human; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; C551750:BRCA2 protein, human