Surgical management of breast cancer in BRCA-mutation carriers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Apr;144(3):443-55. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-2890-1. Epub 2014 Feb 25.

Abstract

This meta-analysis investigates the oncological safety of breast-conserving therapy BCT in BRCA-mutation carriers and the risk for contralateral breast cancer (CBC) compared with non-carriers, potential risk factors for ipsilateral breast recurrence (IBR) or CBC and grades these factors based on the level of evidence. A PubMed search was conducted through April 2013 to identify studies that described the risk for IBR and CBC after BCT in BRCA-mutation carriers versus non-carriers as well as studies that investigated risk factors for IBR and CBC in BRCA-mutation carriers. Results were summarized using meta-analysis when sufficient studies were available. Ten studies investigated the oncological safety of BCT in BRCA-mutation carriers versus non-carriers. There was no significant difference in IBR between carriers and controls (RR 1.45, 95 % CI 0.98-2.14). However, a significant higher risk for IBR in BRCA-mutation carriers was observed in studies with a median follow-up ≥7 years (RR 1.51, 95 % CI 1.15-1.98). CBCs were significantly greater in carriers versus controls (RR 3.56, 95 % CI 2.50-5.08). Use of adjuvant chemotherapy and oophorectomy were associated with a significantly lower risk for IBR in BRCA-mutation carriers. Three factors were associated with a lower risk for CBC in BRCA-mutation carriers: oophorectomy, use of tamoxifen, and age at first breast cancer. Based on current evidence, the use of BCT in BRCA-mutation carriers can be considered a reasonable option since it does not seem to increase the risk for IBR. However, several aspects should be taken into account before the final decision-making.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Genes, BRCA1*
  • Genes, BRCA2*
  • Heterozygote*
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors