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Premature Menopause in Patients with BRCA1 Gene Mutation

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Abstract

This study was undertaken with regard to the gonadotropin theory of ovarian cancer advocated in the literature and was designed to disclose specific features of ovarian morphology in carriers of the BRCA1 gene mutation. We enrolled 171 patients and divided them into two groups: A (n=90)—operated for breast cancer (30 patients with and 60 without the BRCA1 mutation); B (n=81)—with the BRCA1 mutation qualified for preventive adnexectomy. According to the authors’ classification described herein, some patients without the BRCA1 mutation retained “signs of estrogenization” in menopausal ovaries, revealing the role of estrogens as a factor promoting mammary carcinogenesis in these patients. A tendency to premature menopause was observed in BRCA1 mutation carriers of groups A and B as evidenced by the final menorrhea appearing at a younger age and almost total absence of “signs of estrogenization” in menopausal ovaries. It is concluded from these findings that earlier menopause in carriers of the BRCA1 mutation is associated with hypergonadotropic activity and may predispose to ovarian cancer at younger age.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by a grant No 3P05E13525 from the State Committee for Scientific Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecological Surgery and Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Poland, ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland

    Izabella Rzepka-Górska, Bogusław Tarnowski, Anita Chudecka-Głaz & Dorota Zielińska

  2. Department of Genetics and Pathology, Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, Poland, ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland

    Bohdan Górski & Aleksandra Tołoczko-Grabarek

Authors
  1. Izabella Rzepka-Górska
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  2. Bogusław Tarnowski
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  3. Anita Chudecka-Głaz
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  4. Bohdan Górski
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  5. Dorota Zielińska
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  6. Aleksandra Tołoczko-Grabarek
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Correspondence to Izabella Rzepka-Górska.

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Rzepka-Górska, I., Tarnowski, B., Chudecka-Głaz, A. et al. Premature Menopause in Patients with BRCA1 Gene Mutation. Breast Cancer Res Treat 100, 59–63 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9220-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9220-1

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