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Modifying factors might theoretically determine whether a BRCA1 mutation carrier contracts breast or ovarian cancer. If so, one would expect concordance for breast or ovarian cancer in affected sibships. We identified 64 pairs with cancers where one or both sisters were demonstrated to carry a BRCA1 mutation, and 116 additional constructed pairs in sibships with three or more affected sisters. We analysed concordance for breast and for ovarian cancer both in the complete series and in the 64 sister pairs alone. The results were that concordance for both breast and ovarian cancer in sisters was in keeping with random distribution or multiple and frequent modifying genetic factors. In conclusion, there may be no major modifying factor of expression of BRCA1 mutations. The practical implication of our findings is that previous disease manifestations in close relatives may have no bearing on the first cancer to be expected in a young female mutation carrier., Authors: Pål Møller (corresponding author) [1]; Lovise Maehle [1]; Neal Clark [1]; Jaran Apold [2] Introduction Breast and ovarian cancers are both expressions of BRCA1 germ-line mutations. There have been [...]

Authors: Cecilie F Rustad [1]; Merete Bjørnslett [2]; Ketil R Heimdal [1]; Lovise Maehle [1]; Jaran Apold [3]; Pål Møller (corresponding author) [1] Introduction In 1963 Lloyd and Dennis described [...], Cowden syndrome (multiple hamartoma syndrome, MIM 158350) is an early onset syndrome characterized by multiple hamartomas in the skin, mucous membranes, breast, thyroid and endometrium. Patients with Cowden syndrome have increased risk of breast cancer, thyroid cancer and endometrial cancer. In 1997 germline mutations in PTEN were demonstrated to cause Cowden syndrome. We report the results of diagnostic and predictive testing in all families with Cowden syndrome or suspected Cowden syndrome registered at the Norwegian cancer family clinics. PTEN mutations were found in all six families meeting the clinical criteria for Cowden syndrome, in none of the two families assumed to have Cowden syndrome but not fulfilling the criteria, and in none of the eight families selected in our computerized medical files to have a combination of breast and thyroid cancers. Age-related penetrances for the various neoplasms are given. All families but one were small and de novo mutations were found.

Penetrances of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have been derived from retrospective studies, implying the possibility of ascertainment biases to influence the results. We have followed women at risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer for two decades, and report the prospectively observed age-related annual incidence rates to contract breast or ovarian cancer for women with deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations based on 4830 observation years. Patients were grouped according to mutation, age and having/not having had previous cancer. In women not having had previous cancer and aged 40-59 years, the annual incidence rate to contract breast or ovarian cancer in those having the most frequent BRCA1 founder mutations was 4.0%, for women in this age group and with less frequent BRCA1 mutations annual incidence rate was 5.9%, and for women with BRCA2 mutations 3.5%. The observed figures may be used for genetic counseling of healthy mutation carriers in the respective age groups. The results may indicate that less frequent BRCA1 mutations have higher penetrances than BRCA1 founder mutations., Authors: Pål Møller (corresponding author) [1]; Lovise Maehle [1]; Lars F Engebretsen [2]; Trond Ludvigsen [3]; Christoffer Jonsrud [4]; Jaran Apold [2]; Anita Vabø [1]; Neal Clark [1] Introduction Mutations [...]

Several studies of survival in women with BRCA1 mutations have shown either reduced survival or no difference compared to controls. Programmes for early detection and treatment of inherited breast cancer, have failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in survival in BRCA1 mutation carriers. One hundred and sixty-seven women with disease-associated germline BRCA1 mutations and breast cancer from 1980 to 2001 were identified. Tumour characteristics, treatment given and survival were recorded. A control group comprising three hundred and four women matched for age, time of diagnosis and stage were used to compare survival. BRCA1 mutation carriers were found to have a poorer prognosis, which could be explained by neither the mode of surgical treatment nor the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. BRCA1 mutation carriers with node negative breast cancer had worse overall survival than controls. Our findings confirm the serious prognosis of BRCA1-associated breast cancer even when diagnosed at an early stage, and that type of treatment does not influence prognosis., Authors: Anne Irene Hagen [1,2]; Steinar Tretli [3,4]; Lovise Maehle [5]; Jaran Apold [4]; Nina Vedå [5]; Pål Møller (corresponding author) [6,7] Background BRCA1 -associated breast cancers differ from sporadic [...]