title: Ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers: analysis of prognostic factors and survival.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinical-pathological characteristics and outcome between sporadic ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer in patents with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients with ovarian cancer treated between 2000 and 2009 who tested positive for BRCA1/2 mutation (BRCA+) and a control group of 64 age-matched patients with no family history of breast/ovarian cancer (controls) were enrolled. Clinical-pathological characteristics, surgical outcome, overall (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The high-grade serous histotype was more represented in BRCA+ than in controls (70.8% versus 53.1%) (p > 0.05). BRCA+ cancers were more frequently diagnosed at stage II than controls (20.83% versus 4.69%) (p = 0.024). Radical primary surgery was performed in 70% of women in both groups, with no difference in debulking results. In patients undergoing surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in all BRCA+ patients, optimal cytoreduction was achieved (versus 70% of the controls). PFS was significantly longer for BRCA+ patients compared to controls (60 months versus 22 months; p = 0.039). No significant difference was observed in OS between BRCA+ patients and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At a median follow-up time of 46 months, BRCA+ patients have a better prognosis than controls in terms of PFS. Higher chemosensitivity of BRCA+ tumours was observed.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital, Largo Turati, 62, 10128, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Biglia
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO, IRCCS, Km 3,95, SP142, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sgandurra
authors.affiliation: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital, Largo Turati, 62, 10128, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina Elisabetta
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Bounous
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO, IRCCS, Km 3,95, SP142, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
authors.forename: Furio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggiorotto
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology I, Sant'Anna Hospital, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Corso Spezia, 60, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Department of Medical Sciences, Corso Bramante, 88-10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pivetta
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Oncology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO, IRCCS, Km 3,95, SP142, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ponzone
authors.affiliation: AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, SC Genetica Medica U, Via Santena, 19-10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pasini
keywords: BRCA1; BRCA2; gene mutations; hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; ovarian cancer; prognosis