Paget's Presentation of High-Grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) in a Very Young Female With Breast Cancer 2 (BRCA2) Mutation

This is a case of a previously healthy 29-year-old female with erythema and skin excoriations of the left breast nipple-areolar complex (NAC). After a repeat trial and failure of topical hydrocortisone, a diagnostic mammogram and nipple biopsy revealed Paget's disease (PD) of the nipple with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A subsequent genetic analysis found a breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) gene mutation. Treatment consisted of a left breast skin-sparing simple mastectomy with sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and immediate tissue expander placement for implant reconstruction. Further management involved right breast short-interval surveillance with annual mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the possibility of prophylactic surgery along with oophorectomy after childbearing.

Paediatric and Adolescent Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Every year, it affects a significant number of women in the UK and is considered one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. While breast cancer is primarily linked to adult women, its occurrence in children and adolescents is exceedingly rare. This study conducted a narrative review spanning from 1999 to 2023, examining 32 case reports to investigate the characteristics of breast cancer in the paediatric age group. These reports focused on patients under 18 years old who were diagnosed with primary glandular breast cancer, excluding cases originating from other tissues like angiosarcoma, leukaemia, and metastatic cancer. The data analysis encompassed various parameters, including gender, age, histology, receptor status, lymph node involvement, treatment methods, and genetic characteristics. From the published case reports, it was concluded that the most common type of breast cancer affecting children and adolescents is secretory breast carcinoma and predominantly occurs in females. It is typically hormone receptors negative, and the preferred treatment approach involves mastectomy as breast conservation surgery to preserve the developing breast tissue is a real challenge due to limited breast tissue volume in this age group.

Somatic BRCA Mutation in Metastatic Breast Cancer

A 65-year-old female with a history of multicentric invasive ductal breast carcinoma with lobular features and prior mastectomy presented with a chief complaint of two new raised mildly erythematous lesions on the right upper arm. The lesions were visualized during examination, and the patient noted no symptoms associated with them. Tangential shave biopsies were obtained for each lesion and were sent to the lab for testing. Both lesions were found to be metastatic breast carcinoma. Wide local excisions were performed on each site. The patient followed up with radiation therapy and was prescribed Faslodex and Ibrance. FoundationOne testing on the lesions revealed BRCA2 loss in the tumor, and germline DNA testing was performed in light of this. The test yielded negative results for harmful BRCA1 and 2 mutations. The patient was treated with Lynparza (olaparib), and two years following the start of this medication has had no additional recurrences.

Unlocking Therapeutic Potential of Poly(Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors in Metastatic Breast Cancer With BRCA Gene Mutations: A Narrative Review

Breast cancer (BC), a significant global health concern, impacts millions of women worldwide. A key genetic factor in this disease is the presence of BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) mutations, which increase susceptibility to BC. This narrative review explores the crucial role of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in treating metastatic BC in individuals with BRCA gene mutations. In BRCA mutation carriers, these inhibitors induce synthetic lethality, leading to cell death due to the accumulation of lethal DNA breaks. Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib and talazoparib, in extending progression-free survival and response rates, especially in patients without prior chemotherapy. Moreover, this review discusses combination therapies, where PARP inhibitors are combined with cytostatic drugs like platinum-based chemotherapy. Some studies show the synergy of these approaches, even in patients without homologous recombination deficiency. In summary, PARP inhibitors offer hope for improving outcomes in metastatic BC patients with BRCA gene mutations. As research advances, PARP inhibitors continue to hold promise in the fight against BC.

Ovarian Cancer With Breast Metastasis and Two Pathogenic Variants of BRCA1 Gene

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer after uterine cancer in the United States. Ovarian cancer ranks sixth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than other female reproductive system cancers. Breast metastasis in ovarian cancer is a rare presentation and predicts a poor prognosis and challenging management. Our case is a 42-year-old Chinese woman with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma that presents with metastasis to the breast during the course of her illness. Genetic evaluation of the ovarian tumor showed two BRCA1 pathogenic variants. Germline pathogenic variant of c.2110_2111DelAA and a somatic variant of c.4071_4096+14del40. Our patient was offered different treatment regimens but showed progression of her disease. The low survival rate and high recurrence rate in ovarian cancer show that we still need to investigate our current approved treatments. Our report aims to shed light on the genetic evaluation of ovarian tumors and treatment options available in refractory cases of progressive ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we explain our investigational therapy regimen and the reasoning behind it.

Prophylactic Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA2 Mutation with Incidental Finding of Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinoma (STIC) and Subsequent Diagnosis of Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma (PPC): A Case Report and Review of Current Literature

A major effort to prevent serous cancer in genetically susceptible women with breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations has recently introduced the practice of risk-reducing prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. A small number of those who undergo prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy will be found to have occult carcinomas. The majority of these appear to originate in the fallopian tube, reinforcing the theory that a significant proportion of high-grade serous carcinoma pelvic tumours have a fimbrial origin. In addition to this, histopathological and molecular biological characteristics suggest that among other serous carcinomas, fallopian tube serous carcinoma and primary peritoneal serous carcinoma really represent one entity. We present a case with breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) mutation that was found to have serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) following prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with advanced primary peritoneal carcinoma. This prompted our team to reflect upon the case, review the current literature and recommend a rigorous preoperative assessment and meticulous intraoperative examination for prevention and early detection of high grade serous pelvic carcinomas.