Endometrial Cancer and BRCA Mutations: A Systematic Review

This systematic review identifies, evaluates, and summarises the findings of all relevant individual studies on the prevalence of BRCA mutation (BRCAm) in endometrial cancer patients and the incidence of endometrial cancer in BRCAm women patients. Consequently, the benefits and limits of a prophylactic hysterectomy at the time of the risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy are analysed and discussed. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science until May 2022; 13 studies met the eligibility criteria. Overall, 1613 endometrial cancer patients from 11 cohorts were tested for BRCA1/2 mutation. BRCA1/2m were identified in 4.3% of women with endometrial cancer (70/1613). BRCA1m was the most represented (71.4%) pathogenic variant. Alongside, a total of 209 BRCAm carriers from 14 studies were diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Only 5 out of 14 studies found a correlation between BRCAm and an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Nevertheless, two studies found a statistical difference only for BRCA1m women. The present systematic review does not provide strong evidence in favour of performing routine hysterectomy at the time of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy; however, it provides epidemiological data that can be useful for counselling patients in order to offer a tailored approach.

Automated summary

This systematic review examines the prevalence of BRCA mutations in endometrial cancer patients and the incidence of endometrial cancer in BRCA mutation women patients. The review finds that BRCA1/2 mutations are present in 4.3% of endometrial cancer patients, with BRCA1 mutations being the most common. However, only 5 studies found a correlation between BRCA mutations and an increased risk of endometrial cancer. The review suggests that routine hysterectomy at the time of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy may not be necessary.