Prognostic Significance of Clinical Factors Including BRCA Mutation in Epithelial Ovarian, Peritoneal, Fallopian Tube Cancer

Background/Aim: We analyzed the survival outcomes of patients with epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer with BRCA1/2 mutations and the clinical factors associated with the prognosis of these cancers. Patients and Methods: We included patients who had been diagnosed with and treated for epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer and had undergone germline BRCA testing in six hospitals between January 2012 and December 2019. Results: Of the 378 identified patients, 76 (20.1%) carried a BRCA1/2 mutation. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) did not differ between patients with and without BRCA1/2 mutation. Multivariate analysis for 18 months after the primary treatment showed higher PFS in the BRCA1/2 mutation group (p=0.024). Subgroup analysis in patients with high-grade serous carcinoma showed that BRCA1/2 mutation was an independent favorable prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.035). Subgroup analysis of patients with stage III or IV disease demonstrated an independent gain in PFS in patients with BRCA1/2 mutation (p=0.015). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a primary treatment was related to poor PFS (p < 0.001) and reduced OS (p=0.005). Conclusion: Having a germline BRCA1/2 mutation improved short-term PFS in patients with epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. Elevated initial CA125 level and primary neoadjuvant chemotherapy were related to poor prognosis.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the survival outcomes and clinical factors associated with the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer with BRCA1/2 mutations. The results showed that having a germline BRCA1/2 mutation improved short-term progression-free survival (PFS) in these patients. Primary neoadjuvant chemotherapy and elevated initial CA125 level were related to poor prognosis.