Synchronous ovarian dysgerminoma and breast carcinoma in a patient with positive immunostain of BRCA1

Chirurgia (Bucur). 2013 Mar-Apr;108(2):259-63.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplastic process and the second cause of death for women. Ovarian cancer, despite having a lower incidence, represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality because it is usually discovered in advanced stages. The presence of both forms of cancer in a patient is associated with a high risk of BRCA1 gene mutations, which are responsible, together with BRCA2 gene mutations, for most of the breast and ovarian cancer family. Our case is special because it presents a synchronous and a rare association of a primary ovarian dysgerminoma (with an incidence of less than 1% of ovarian cancers) and a primary breast carcinoma in a patient of 46 years old. Immunohistochemical examination was performed using a panel of five biomarkers: oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Herceptest, p53 and BRCA1. In our case, we identified a negative hormonal status and the absence of HER2/neu expression but a positive immuno-expression for p53 protein and BRCA1 protein. Postoperative course was favourable for the patient after each surgery, and she was discharged with the recommendation to perform a genetic counselling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • BRCA1 Protein / analysis*
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma / chemistry*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Dysgerminoma / chemistry*
  • Dysgerminoma / pathology
  • Dysgerminoma / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mastectomy, Modified Radical
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
  • Ovariectomy
  • Salpingectomy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / analysis

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • Biomarkers
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53