BRCA mutation in high grade epithelial ovarian cancers

To identify the frequency of BRCA mutation in patients with high grade epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Patients with EOC included fallopian tube cancer or peritoneal cancer with high grade serous or high grade endometrioid were recruited. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were tested and analyzed by next generation sequencing system.

A total of 87 patients were recruited; majority of them (88.5%) were EOC, 5.7% fallopian tube cancer, 4.6% peritoneal cancer, and 1.1% synchronous primary ovarian and endometrial cancer. Seventy-four patients (85.1%) had high grade serous carcinoma and 13 patients (14.9%) had high grade endometrioid carcinoma. Germline BRCA mutation was detected in 19 patients (21.8%); 14 patients (16.1%) had BRCA1 mutation and 5 patients (5.7%) had BRCA2 mutation. All BRCA mutations were found in patients with high grade serous carcinoma (25.7%) but none in high grade endometrioid carcinoma. Six from 19 patients (31.6%) who had BRCA mutation had no family history of breast and ovarian cancers. Higher frequency of BRCA mutation was detected in patients with fallopian tube cancer; 3 in 5 patients (60%) followed by peritoneal cancer; 2 in 4 patients (50%), and EOC; 14 in 77 patients (18.2%).

The frequency of BRCA mutation in high grade serous carcinoma was 25.7%, none was found in high grade endometrioid carcinoma. High cost, unavailability of genetic testing, limited number of geneticists, may be barriers in limited resource countries. Selected patients especially high grade serous carcinoma should be considered initially.