Risk-reducing surgery for ovarian cancer: outcomes in 300 surgeries suggest a low peritoneal primary risk

Eur J Hum Genet. 2009 Nov;17(11):1381-5. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2009.60. Epub 2009 Apr 15.

Abstract

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is currently advocated for the reduction of both breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1/2 carriers, but residual risk of peritoneal primary cancer remains a concern. A sequential series of women attending a single institution for ovarian risk management underwent either risk-reducing surgery or screening. A person-years at risk analysis was used to compare observed versus expected cancers. In total, 300 women underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, including 160 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Three occult ovarian cancers were detected at surgery. There have been 2400.4 years of follow-up and 15.79 expected cancers. No peritoneal cancers have occurred. Amongst 503 women controls with 3444.3 years of follow-up, 15.93 ovarian cancers were expected and 17 were found. There were six ovarian cancer-related deaths in the control group compared with one in the surgery group. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in a single institution has so far avoided peritoneal cancer incidence.

MeSH terms

  • Fallopian Tubes / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genes, BRCA1
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Ovariectomy*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Risk Management