Ovarian Cancer

Cancer of ovaries is one of the most common gynecological cancers in United States and every year roughly 26,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer. Anywhere from five to ten percent of ovarian cancers are believed to be hereditary. Aberrations of tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are responsible for the majority of hereditary ovarian cancer. Other types of cancers, such as pancreatic, colon, and esophageal have been seen in families with BRCA2 aberrations.

The key to genetic testing for this cancer is to test the patient first and if the abnormality is detected, the rest of family should be tested.  Individuals identified through genetic testing to have an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can then consider a potentially curative procedure or a close follow up plan. Women harboring these genes are at higher risk for developing breast cancer as well.  These cancers tend to occur at much earlier age and be more aggressive in nature. 

Women carrying BRCA2 have 20% risk of developing ovarian cancer by age of 85.  The risk for BRCA1 is very high, yet very variable.

Cancer Genetic issues