Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the uptake rate of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and the factors affecting this rate among female BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers at the National Cancer Center of Korea.
Methods: Between April 2007 and December 2014, 450 women underwent BRCA gene testing, and 97 women were found to have BRCA1/2 mutations. Through the review of medical records, 42 candidates for RRSO were identified. Of these, 22 underwent RRSO. Demographic, clinical, and consultation-related factors were compared between the RRSO and non-RRSO groups.
Results: The uptake rate of RRSO was 52.4 %. The mean time interval between genetic testing and surgery in the RRSO group was 7.3 months (range 0.6-33.9). The prevalence of amenorrhea was greater in the RRSO group than in the non-RRSO group (59.1 % vs. 20.0 %; P = 0.010). More women in the RRSO group were consulted with gynecologic oncologists (95.5 % vs. 60.0 %; P = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, amenorrhea at the time of genetic counseling (OR 16.44; 95 % CI 1.16-232.82; P = 0.038) and consultation with gynecologic oncologists (OR 30.78; 95 % CI 1.34-707.21; P = 0.032) were identified as factors affecting the carrier's decision to undergo RRSO. One patient in the non-RRSO group (5.0 %) developed primary peritoneal carcinoma, which was diagnosed 4.6 years after genetic testing.
Conclusions: The uptake rate of RRSO among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers was affected by the presence of amenorrhea and consultation with gynecologic oncologists. Gynecologic oncologists with clinical experience with ovarian cancer should play a major role in aiding carriers' decision-making concerning RRSO.
Keywords: BRCA1; BRCA2; Breast cancer; Ovarian cancer; Risk-reducing surgery; Salpingo-oophorectomy.