BRCA1 mutation in breast cancer patients: Analysis of prognostic factors and survival

The presence of BRCA1 mutations is associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The present study compared clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival (OS) of hereditary and sporadic breast cancer. Using data collected from a previous study conducted between 2007-2016 at the Maria Skodowska Curie Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology (Gliwice, Poland), the prognostic factors and survival in 60 breast cancer mutation carriers were analyzed. A control group was selected from the breast cancer patients without BRCA mutations (n=386). BRCA mutation carriers had significantly worse survival when compared with non-carriers (P=0.017). The 10-year OS rate was 78.0% for all analyzed groups: 65.9% for BRCA mutation carriers and 81.1% for non-carriers. In the univariate analyses, BRCA mutation carriers had a significantly higher risk of mortality in comparison to non-carriers [hazard ratio (HR)=1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-3.25]. Increased tumor size (HR=3.64), lymph node metastases (HR=2.45) and higher histological grade (HR=2.84) were significant factors for worse OS. Positive estrogen receptor status was associated with a better OS (HR=0.49, P=0.022). Age 40 years (HR=0.48, P=0.081) was an insignificantly favorable factor. The 10-year survival rate was significantly decreased in patients with BRCA1 mutation. Therefore, negative factors for OS in mutation carriers included lymph nodes metastases, negative steroid receptor status and increased tumor size.