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Women
who have genetic mutations of the BRCA1 or
BRCA2 gene are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and
breast cancer. However, a new study published in the May 3, 2000
issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association shows that women with BRCA gene mutations may have higher chances of
surviving ovarian cancer than women who develop the disease sporadically (nonhereditary). The researchers suggest that women with BRCA
mutations may respond better to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
In the study, researchers restricted their analysis to Jewish patients because certain
BRCA gene mutations are more common among women of eastern European descent (Ashkenazi
Jews). Of the 189 Jewish patients treated for
ovarian cancer during a 12-month period, 88 were found have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
mutation. The other 101 patients were found
to have developed ovarian cancer sporadically. The
tumor sizes were similar, and each woman received similar treatment for her cancer.
The results of the study showed that women with advanced ovarian cancer and BRCA gene
mutations survived longer after initial treatment than the cancer patients who did not
have BRCA gene mutations. Women with BRCA
gene mutations also had a longer cancer-free period after chemotherapy than women without
BRCA gene mutations (average of 14 months compared with 7 months).
The researchers also found that women with BRCA mutations did not typically develop
ovarian cancer until almost 60 years of age or older.
Women with BRCA1 gene mutations were an average of eight years younger than
women with BRCA2 mutations at the time of ovarian cancer diagnosis. Interestingly, women with BRCA gene mutations
rarely developed ovarian cancer until after age 40. Jeff
Boyd, PhD, lead author of the study said these findings are hopeful for young women
considering having their ovaries removed to reduce their chances of ovarian cancer. Fertility may be preserved for a substantial
period of time during young adulthood, said Dr. Boyd.
Though the study is preliminary, Boyd and his colleagues believe the results provide a
glimpse of understanding into hereditary cancers. If
researchers can understand how hereditary cancers respond differently to treatments, they
can use that information to improve treatments of both hereditary and non-hereditary types
of cancer, according to Dr. Boyd.
It is estimated that one in 55 women will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime
(one in eight women will develop breast cancer). Approximately
25,500 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed each year, and an estimated 14,500 women
die from the disease each year. Often, the
symptoms of ovarian cancer are “silent,” making it difficult to diagnose the
cancer until it has progressed into advanced stages.
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