Rapid progression of prostate cancer in men with a BRCA2 mutation
Author Information
Author(s): Narod S A, Neuhausen S, Vichodez G, Armel S, Lynch H T, Ghadirian P, Cummings S, Olopade O, Stoppa-Lyonnet D, Couch F, Wagner T, Warner E, Foulkes W D, Saal H, Weitzel J, Tulman A, Poll A, Nam R, Sun P
Primary Institution: Women's College Research Institute, University of Toronto
Hypothesis
Men with BRCA2 mutations have poorer survival rates compared to those with BRCA1 mutations.
Conclusion
Men with BRCA2 mutations and prostate cancer have significantly shorter survival times compared to those with BRCA1 mutations.
Supporting Evidence
- Men with BRCA2 mutations had a median survival of 4.0 years compared to 8.0 years for BRCA1 carriers.
- 5-year overall survival was 39% for BRCA2 carriers and 57% for BRCA1 carriers.
- BRCA2 carriers were found to have a 70% higher risk of dying compared to BRCA1 carriers.
Takeaway
Men with a specific gene mutation called BRCA2 get prostate cancer that is much worse than men with another mutation called BRCA1.
Methodology
Survival analysis comparing men with BRCA2 and BRCA1 mutations using data on age at diagnosis and death.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported family history and lack of medical record review.
Limitations
The study did not include a comparison group of noncarriers and relied on family pedigree for data collection.
Participant Demographics
Men with prostate cancer from families with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.005
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.2–2.4
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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