Bilateral breast cancer is a strong predictor of BRCA 1/2 mutation and hence one criterion indicated for hereditary genetic testing. The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) and its association with personal and familial cancer traits. Patients diagnosed with SBBC in our institute between 1992 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, and the information of clinicopathological features, personal and family cancer history were analyzed. Of the 307 SBBCs enrolled, the growing case number generally aligned with the regional breast cancer incidence after the era of population-based mammography screening. SBBC patients had similar cancer stages but worse survival outcomes than those in the standard scenario. A total of 42.0% had mixed pathological diagnoses, and 22.8% had discordant immunohistochemistry (IHC) subtypes from both sides, which contributed to treatment challenges. The correlation of SBBC with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome was strongly implied, as 20.7% of our SBBC patients with known familial cancer histories had HOBC-related familial cancers (breast, ovarian, or prostate cancers). These findings highlight the need for genetic counseling and germline mutation testing in patients with SBBC. Early PARP inhibitor treatment should also be considered in high-risk cases for outcome improvement.
Keywords: bilateral; breast cancer; cancer gene predisposition; genetic counseling; germline mutation; hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; synchronous.