Investigator
Erasmus MC
Breast Density Changes after Risk-Reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy in Women with a Pathogenic Germline Variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2
Abstract Background: We studied changes in mammographic density (MD) among premenopausal women with a pathogenic germline variant (PGV) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, comparing those who did and did not undergo risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in the interval between mammograms, accounting for changes in exogenous oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. Methods: From five studies of the International BRCA1/2 Carrier Cohort Study consortium, we included 691 participants who had two or more screening mammograms available, were less than 47 years at the time of RRSO (N = 208), or premenopausal at all mammograms without RRSO (N = 483). MD metrics [percent density (PD), dense area (DA), and non-DA] were quantified using STRATUS. Multivariable linear mixed models assessed changes in MD metrics between groups, adjusting for confounders. Results: The mean PD at first mammogram was 26.8% ± 15.3 (RRSO) and 31.3% ± 18.1 (no RRSO). In a median 1.1 years between mammograms, PD decreased on average by 0.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), −1.6 to −0.2] among women who did not undergo RRSO in the interval between mammograms compared with 5.9% (95% CI, −7.4 to −4.5) among women who underwent RRSO in the interval (adjusted difference, −5.9%; 95% CI, −9.5 to −2.2; P = 0.002). Results were driven primarily by MD changes among BRCA2 PGV carriers. The use of HRT after RRSO attenuated the decline in PD. Conclusions: On average, PD and DA decrease following RRSO in premenopausal carriers, particularly among BRCA2 PGV carriers. HRT formulation affects MD changes. Impact: A decrease in MD may inform the potential protective effect of RRSO against breast cancer.
Cancer risks for other sites in addition to breast in CHEK2 c.1100delC families
The benefit of adding polygenic risk scores, lifestyle factors, and breast density to family history and genetic status for breast cancer risk and surveillance classification of unaffected women from germline CHEK2 c.1100delC families
High-grade serous carcinoma occurring after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variant carriers
Abstract Background Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) effectively prevents high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) in BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variant (GPV) carriers. Still, some women develop HGSC after RRSO without pathological findings. This study assessed long-term incidence and risk factors for developing HGSC after RRSO without pathological findings. Methods BRCA1/2 GPV carriers were selected from the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer in the Netherlands (HEBON) cohort. Follow-up data for HGSC after RRSO were obtained from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (PALGA) and confirmed by histopathological review. Cumulative incidence rates of HGSC were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analyses. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with an increased risk of HGSC after RRSO without pathological findings. Results A total of 2519 women were included, with a median follow-up of 13.4 years (range: 0.0-27.6 years). The 20-year cumulative incidence rate of HGSC was 1.5% (95% CI = 0.0 to 2.1) for BRCA1 and 0.2% (95% CI = 0.0 to 1.4) for BRCA2 GPV carriers. All women who developed HGSC underwent RRSO after the recommended age. Incomplete embedding of the RRSO specimen (HR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.4 to 12.6), higher age at RRSO (HR per year = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.1), and carrying a BRCA1 GPV (HR = 12.1, 95% CI = 1.6 to 91.2) were associated with increased risk of HGSC. Conclusions In BRCA1/2 GPV carriers, long-term incidence of HGSC after RRSO without pathological findings was low. Strict adherence to guidelines regarding timely RRSO followed by complete specimen embedding can further reduce the risk of HGSC in the years after RRSO.
Researcher