Malignancies More Common In Men With BRCA Germline Mutations

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Roy Mano, MD and
David Margel, MD, PhD
Department of Urology, Rabin Medical Center
Petach Tikva, Israel

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: According to previous reports, male BRCA mutation carriers have a higher risk of developing malignancies of the prostate, pancreas, breast, colon and melanoma. While malignancy screening protocols for female BRCA carriers are well established and widely implemented, little is known about the optimal screening protocol for male BRCA carriers, and current screening protocols focus on malignancies of the breast and prostate rather than offer a comprehensive screening protocol for all BRCA associated malignancies.

MedicalResearch.com: What was the methodology used for this study?

Response: Considering the current knowledge gap regarding the proper screening protocol for male BRCA carriers we devised a comprehensive screening protocol for malignancies of the prostate, pancreas, colon, skin and breast using diagnostic modalities with minimal radiation exposure. We implemented this screening protocol on a group of 196 men with either a BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation. We reported the incidence of malignancies identified prior to enrollment to the clinic and during the initial screening round, and compared them to those of the age adjusted general population.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: A total of 46 malignancies were identified in 34 patients – 33 past malignancies and 13 malignancies identified during initial screening. The most common malignancy was prostatic adenocarcinoma identified in 13 patients. Interestingly, prostatic adenocarcinoma was associated with both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, unlike previous studies that have found an association between prostatic adenocarcinoma and BRCA2 mutation only. We were also able to identify 2 cases of early stage pancreatic cancer who were treated with a curative intent. Furthermore, we found that malignancies of the prostate, breast, pancreas and melanoma were more common among men with germline BRCA mutations compared to the age adjusted general population.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Our study suggests a comprehensive screening protocol enables early detection of treatable malignancies and may be beneficial for male BRCA mutation carriers. 

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Further studies are required to validate our findings, and long term followup is required to evaluate whether the suggested screening protocol will have a positive effect on the outcome and survival of men with a BRCA mutations, which is the goal of various screening protocols.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: We would like to thank ASCO, the Israeli Cancer Association and the German Israeli Foundation for grants which supported this study

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation: Abstract presented at the 2017 Meeting

MALIGNANCIES IN MALE BRCA MUTATION CARRIERS – RESULTS FROM A PROSPECTIVELY SCREENED COHORT OF PATIENTS ENROLLED TO A DEDICATED MALE BRCA CLINIC
Roy Mano, Ofer Benjaminov, Inbal Kedar, Yaara Bar, Sivan Sela, Rachel Ozalvo, Jack Baniel, David Margel Petah Tikva, Israel

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.385

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Last Updated on May 18, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD