Anyone with ovarian cancer who is BRCA 1 or 2
Comments
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BRCA
I had the BRCA 1 and 2 test done after being diagnosed with OVCA. My tests results came back negative for the gene. I was told that I had the same statistics of any woman who might get BRCA, despite already having OVCA. I am not sure if anything can be done as far as preventative measures if the results come out positive.0 -
brca positiveasuprpixie said:BRCA
I had the BRCA 1 and 2 test done after being diagnosed with OVCA. My tests results came back negative for the gene. I was told that I had the same statistics of any woman who might get BRCA, despite already having OVCA. I am not sure if anything can be done as far as preventative measures if the results come out positive.
hi,
i was dz in october 2010, had surgery and standard 6 rounds of carbo/taxol.
unfortunately after completion i still have small spots on liver and spleen, but my ca125-6 and i am feeling well, so my onco told me that chemo break will do more good for me.
Good news - no new growth.
i had my ct scan yesterday and my next appt this coming tuesday , so we shall see...
as far as BRCA - no special treatment was done, just more possibilities of breast cancer , so i have to have mamogramms every 6 months.
i think it is important to know and talk to your family, test your kids, sisters, nieces.
for men - also possibilities to be brca positive - it can be - prostate cancer, colon..
i have 20 year old son and doctor recomended for him to be tested, no rush, but before 40 for sure. Also - my brother and his kids will get tested. he has daughter who is 27 and she already had cancer, stage 1.
best of luck
Victoria0 -
Brca1 +
Was dx august 2010 with breast cancer stage 3b grade 3 0/6 lymph nodes. Went through Chemo which finished last Feb. and then went for genetic testing and i am + for Brca 1 gene. Had breast radiation and finished that in May 2011. Feeling pretty good. Dr's recommended an oopherectomy which I went in for last Wed. Had a Vaginal ultrasound and CA125 blood work and all were fine. Surgeon opened me up for "routine" oopherectomy and I had ovarian cancer. They removed a piece of my bowel, diaphragm and a 6"x 8" piece of my omentum which was crusted with 1" of cancer in some spots. Path reports not in yet but they figure probably 3b-c stage. Get your genetic testing done asap and get a double mastectomy and oopherectomy done also right away. My sister was able to also get genetic testing done even though she doesn't have cancer and she has the gene. She had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate recons done last week and has scheduled her oopherectomy. I also have 2 boys 23 and 21 and they will go for testing over the next few years.....This really sucks......0 -
BRCA
I was DX June 2011 w/ 3C OVC and tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation. I have heard mixed reviews about the outcomes of BRCA positive women with OVC. Some reading says that BRCA carriers respond better to firstline chemo. Other things I have read say that it is harder to treat. I know I have a higher risk of having Breast Cancer....but I cannot deal with a preventive mastectomy until i feel better from OVC.0 -
Brca 1Susan777 said:BRCA
I was DX June 2011 w/ 3C OVC and tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation. I have heard mixed reviews about the outcomes of BRCA positive women with OVC. Some reading says that BRCA carriers respond better to firstline chemo. Other things I have read say that it is harder to treat. I know I have a higher risk of having Breast Cancer....but I cannot deal with a preventive mastectomy until i feel better from OVC.
Really consider the mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. You don't want to be diagnosed down the road with breast cancer if you could have done prophylactic surgery. By having the surgery it could reduce your chances of ever getting breast cancer by as much as 98% some surgeons boast. I understand you want to get better from the ovarian but that cancer will never be 100% gone at least you can get a handle on your breasts before the cancer does. I just finished dealing with breast cancer this past year and now I'm slapped in the face with ovarian cancer.....I couldn't imagine dealing with both cancers at the same time. At any rate best of luck my friend, please just don't procrastinate....you'll know when the time is right !!!!!
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BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with
BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with ovarian cancer 2C and breast cancer stage 1 same time February,2007.Breast cancer did not come back, but ovarian cancer come back december,2009.
First line chemo for both cancers was carboplatin, taxoter for 6 cycles and one year Hertheptin, plus radiation on breast. Second line chemo treatment for ovarian first recurancy - carboplatin,gemzar. Third - avastin,doxil. After three treatment Avastin was canceled.BP problem.Did three more only doxil. With shortage of Doxil in August was swithed to Taxol.Problem with toe and fingers, numbness. Do not know about new chemotherapy. I think it is a time for some good new treatment, what can help all of us survive longer, maybe even curable. Big hug to all my teal sisters, love,Zina. I am on pain pills. 0 -
BRCA2 Linked to Better Chemo Response in Ovarian Cancerzinaida said:BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with
BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with ovarian cancer 2C and breast cancer stage 1 same time February,2007.Breast cancer did not come back, but ovarian cancer come back december,2009.
First line chemo for both cancers was carboplatin, taxoter for 6 cycles and one year Hertheptin, plus radiation on breast. Second line chemo treatment for ovarian first recurancy - carboplatin,gemzar. Third - avastin,doxil. After three treatment Avastin was canceled.BP problem.Did three more only doxil. With shortage of Doxil in August was swithed to Taxol.Problem with toe and fingers, numbness. Do not know about new chemotherapy. I think it is a time for some good new treatment, what can help all of us survive longer, maybe even curable. Big hug to all my teal sisters, love,Zina. I am on pain pills.
Elsevier Global Medical News. 2011 Oct 11, MA Moon
Mutations in the BRCA2 gene appear to confer better survival in women who have ovarian cancer, according to a report in the Oct. 12 issue of JAMA.
The BRCA2 mutations appear to improve survival by enhancing sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy, thus improving treatment response, said Da Yang, Ph.D., of the department of pathology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, and associates.
BRCA1 mutations showed no such effects, they noted.
Women with either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are known to be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, but the findings regarding their outcomes after the malignancy is diagnosed are conflicting. Some studies have reported favorable clinical courses, while others have shown the opposite. Most of these studies have pooled the results on BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers together.
Dr. Yang and colleagues assessed possible associations between each genetic mutation separately and survival. They used the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which included genomic and clinical data on 316 high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. All tumors were stage III or IV.
Most of the study subjects (86%) were non-Ashkenazi Jewish white women; 7% were Ashkenazi Jewish, 3% were African American, and 3% were Asian. All were treated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and 94% also received a taxane.
A total of 29 women (9.2%) carried BRCA2 mutations, 37 (11.7%) BRCA1 mutations, and 219 had BRCA wild-type mutations.
The 5-year survival was 61% for BRCA2 carriers, significantly higher than the 25% 5-year survival seen in wild-type BRCA cases. In contrast, there was no significant difference in survival between BRCA1 carriers (44%) and wild-type BRCA cases, the investigators said (JAMA 2011;306:1557-65).
In further analysis of treatment response, BRCA2 mutations were associated with significantly improved chemotherapy response and longer platinum-free durations than were BRCA1 mutations and wild-type BRCA.
In addition, "BRCA2-mutated cases, but not BRCA1-mutated cases, exhibited a 'mutator phenotype' that contained significantly more mutations as determined from whole-exome mutation data. These findings suggest that the different associations between survival and BRCA1 and BRCA2 deficiencies likely result from patients' distinct responses to platinum-based treatment, which may be caused by the differing nature of the dysfunction of these two genes," the researchers said.
"Functionally, both BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported to play key roles in DNA damage repair, but they appear to have distinct but complementary functions," they added.
The study "provides a major advance in the understanding of the use of new treatments for ovarian cancer among patients with BRCA mutations," said Dr. Victor R. Grann and Dr. Ramon E. Parsons of the department of medicine at the comprehensive cancer center of Columbia University, New York.
The distinction in response to therapy between BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers should lead to therapy that is better targeted, they said in an editorial accompanying Dr. Yang's report (JAMA 2011;306:1597-8).
This study population "represents the most comprehensive data composition (both genomic and clinical) assembled" to date. However, the cohort was still "relatively small, and our findings should be further validated" in additional studies, Dr. Yang and associates said.
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, and an Ovarian Cancer SPORE grant. No financial conflicts of interest were reported.0 -
This comment has been removed by the Moderatorlindaprocopio said:BRCA2 Linked to Better Chemo Response in Ovarian Cancer
Elsevier Global Medical News. 2011 Oct 11, MA Moon
Mutations in the BRCA2 gene appear to confer better survival in women who have ovarian cancer, according to a report in the Oct. 12 issue of JAMA.
The BRCA2 mutations appear to improve survival by enhancing sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy, thus improving treatment response, said Da Yang, Ph.D., of the department of pathology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, and associates.
BRCA1 mutations showed no such effects, they noted.
Women with either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are known to be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, but the findings regarding their outcomes after the malignancy is diagnosed are conflicting. Some studies have reported favorable clinical courses, while others have shown the opposite. Most of these studies have pooled the results on BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers together.
Dr. Yang and colleagues assessed possible associations between each genetic mutation separately and survival. They used the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which included genomic and clinical data on 316 high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. All tumors were stage III or IV.
Most of the study subjects (86%) were non-Ashkenazi Jewish white women; 7% were Ashkenazi Jewish, 3% were African American, and 3% were Asian. All were treated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and 94% also received a taxane.
A total of 29 women (9.2%) carried BRCA2 mutations, 37 (11.7%) BRCA1 mutations, and 219 had BRCA wild-type mutations.
The 5-year survival was 61% for BRCA2 carriers, significantly higher than the 25% 5-year survival seen in wild-type BRCA cases. In contrast, there was no significant difference in survival between BRCA1 carriers (44%) and wild-type BRCA cases, the investigators said (JAMA 2011;306:1557-65).
In further analysis of treatment response, BRCA2 mutations were associated with significantly improved chemotherapy response and longer platinum-free durations than were BRCA1 mutations and wild-type BRCA.
In addition, "BRCA2-mutated cases, but not BRCA1-mutated cases, exhibited a 'mutator phenotype' that contained significantly more mutations as determined from whole-exome mutation data. These findings suggest that the different associations between survival and BRCA1 and BRCA2 deficiencies likely result from patients' distinct responses to platinum-based treatment, which may be caused by the differing nature of the dysfunction of these two genes," the researchers said.
"Functionally, both BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported to play key roles in DNA damage repair, but they appear to have distinct but complementary functions," they added.
The study "provides a major advance in the understanding of the use of new treatments for ovarian cancer among patients with BRCA mutations," said Dr. Victor R. Grann and Dr. Ramon E. Parsons of the department of medicine at the comprehensive cancer center of Columbia University, New York.
The distinction in response to therapy between BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers should lead to therapy that is better targeted, they said in an editorial accompanying Dr. Yang's report (JAMA 2011;306:1597-8).
This study population "represents the most comprehensive data composition (both genomic and clinical) assembled" to date. However, the cohort was still "relatively small, and our findings should be further validated" in additional studies, Dr. Yang and associates said.
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, and an Ovarian Cancer SPORE grant. No financial conflicts of interest were reported.0 -
Thanks Lindalindaprocopio said:BRCA2 Linked to Better Chemo Response in Ovarian Cancer
Elsevier Global Medical News. 2011 Oct 11, MA Moon
Mutations in the BRCA2 gene appear to confer better survival in women who have ovarian cancer, according to a report in the Oct. 12 issue of JAMA.
The BRCA2 mutations appear to improve survival by enhancing sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy, thus improving treatment response, said Da Yang, Ph.D., of the department of pathology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, and associates.
BRCA1 mutations showed no such effects, they noted.
Women with either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are known to be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, but the findings regarding their outcomes after the malignancy is diagnosed are conflicting. Some studies have reported favorable clinical courses, while others have shown the opposite. Most of these studies have pooled the results on BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers together.
Dr. Yang and colleagues assessed possible associations between each genetic mutation separately and survival. They used the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which included genomic and clinical data on 316 high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. All tumors were stage III or IV.
Most of the study subjects (86%) were non-Ashkenazi Jewish white women; 7% were Ashkenazi Jewish, 3% were African American, and 3% were Asian. All were treated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and 94% also received a taxane.
A total of 29 women (9.2%) carried BRCA2 mutations, 37 (11.7%) BRCA1 mutations, and 219 had BRCA wild-type mutations.
The 5-year survival was 61% for BRCA2 carriers, significantly higher than the 25% 5-year survival seen in wild-type BRCA cases. In contrast, there was no significant difference in survival between BRCA1 carriers (44%) and wild-type BRCA cases, the investigators said (JAMA 2011;306:1557-65).
In further analysis of treatment response, BRCA2 mutations were associated with significantly improved chemotherapy response and longer platinum-free durations than were BRCA1 mutations and wild-type BRCA.
In addition, "BRCA2-mutated cases, but not BRCA1-mutated cases, exhibited a 'mutator phenotype' that contained significantly more mutations as determined from whole-exome mutation data. These findings suggest that the different associations between survival and BRCA1 and BRCA2 deficiencies likely result from patients' distinct responses to platinum-based treatment, which may be caused by the differing nature of the dysfunction of these two genes," the researchers said.
"Functionally, both BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported to play key roles in DNA damage repair, but they appear to have distinct but complementary functions," they added.
The study "provides a major advance in the understanding of the use of new treatments for ovarian cancer among patients with BRCA mutations," said Dr. Victor R. Grann and Dr. Ramon E. Parsons of the department of medicine at the comprehensive cancer center of Columbia University, New York.
The distinction in response to therapy between BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers should lead to therapy that is better targeted, they said in an editorial accompanying Dr. Yang's report (JAMA 2011;306:1597-8).
This study population "represents the most comprehensive data composition (both genomic and clinical) assembled" to date. However, the cohort was still "relatively small, and our findings should be further validated" in additional studies, Dr. Yang and associates said.
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, and an Ovarian Cancer SPORE grant. No financial conflicts of interest were reported.
this may be what the oncologist was talking about, because I had my appt. with him this week. He had said that there were some new drugs, but didn't go into detail so I don't know exactly what he was talking about. I guesss I have to wait till I get this testing.
Thanks again.0 -
oh the numbnesszinaida said:BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with
BRCA 1 positive. Was dz with ovarian cancer 2C and breast cancer stage 1 same time February,2007.Breast cancer did not come back, but ovarian cancer come back december,2009.
First line chemo for both cancers was carboplatin, taxoter for 6 cycles and one year Hertheptin, plus radiation on breast. Second line chemo treatment for ovarian first recurancy - carboplatin,gemzar. Third - avastin,doxil. After three treatment Avastin was canceled.BP problem.Did three more only doxil. With shortage of Doxil in August was swithed to Taxol.Problem with toe and fingers, numbness. Do not know about new chemotherapy. I think it is a time for some good new treatment, what can help all of us survive longer, maybe even curable. Big hug to all my teal sisters, love,Zina. I am on pain pills.
I have it from the taxol it just started in my fingers but my feet have it bad. It is all of my feet and up my legs I only have one more treatment of taxol/carbo next Thursday and then I am done then I will be on avastian only for about two years. The numbness is so bad that I have to talk with my doctor before Thursday to see if he will need to stop the taxol of lower the amount because the numbness has gotten so bad. I am having so much trouble that I have considered using a walker to get around.
Anne
ALWAYS PRAYING FOR A CURE0 -
BRAC 2 positiveAnneBehymer said:oh the numbness
I have it from the taxol it just started in my fingers but my feet have it bad. It is all of my feet and up my legs I only have one more treatment of taxol/carbo next Thursday and then I am done then I will be on avastian only for about two years. The numbness is so bad that I have to talk with my doctor before Thursday to see if he will need to stop the taxol of lower the amount because the numbness has gotten so bad. I am having so much trouble that I have considered using a walker to get around.
Anne
ALWAYS PRAYING FOR A CURE
I have been NED since May after being treated for Peritoneal Cancer originating in the ovary. My mother died of breast cancer. I never had the genetic testing because I thought I would not do preventive surgery anyway. After my treatment was over I had the testing and I am BRCA 2 positve. The doctor immediately told me I needed a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. It hit me like a rock. If I had been thinking about the possibility in the past I think I would have been more prepared but it seems like such a big thing physically and emotionally to deal with. I did follow his recommendation and I am meeting with him and a plastic surgeon at the end of the month. I am sure I will go thru with it. I wont do it till after the holidays so it will give me at least a little time to mentally prepare. I have daughters that are 28 and 33 and the doctor says they need tested right away as well as my brother and cousins. My one cousin has already been tested and is positive also and she has had breast cancer in the past and is now getting an oophorectomy. It is a horrible thing to have to tell your family members they might have. My doctor told me that it is a gift that my mother could not give me at that time. I just keep telling myself that living is what is important and at least the doctor thinks I have a chance. So I am going for it!0 -
Do Your Research Before Surgerylulu1010 said:BRAC 2 positive
I have been NED since May after being treated for Peritoneal Cancer originating in the ovary. My mother died of breast cancer. I never had the genetic testing because I thought I would not do preventive surgery anyway. After my treatment was over I had the testing and I am BRCA 2 positve. The doctor immediately told me I needed a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. It hit me like a rock. If I had been thinking about the possibility in the past I think I would have been more prepared but it seems like such a big thing physically and emotionally to deal with. I did follow his recommendation and I am meeting with him and a plastic surgeon at the end of the month. I am sure I will go thru with it. I wont do it till after the holidays so it will give me at least a little time to mentally prepare. I have daughters that are 28 and 33 and the doctor says they need tested right away as well as my brother and cousins. My one cousin has already been tested and is positive also and she has had breast cancer in the past and is now getting an oophorectomy. It is a horrible thing to have to tell your family members they might have. My doctor told me that it is a gift that my mother could not give me at that time. I just keep telling myself that living is what is important and at least the doctor thinks I have a chance. So I am going for it!
My oncologist told me I should have a double mastectomy when my test results came back positive for BRCA1. I thought about it and asked a number of health care professionals about the situation. My naturopath told me she has four patients who are BRCA positive, had prophylactic mastectomies and oopherectomies, but ultimately ended up with metastatic breast cancer. I have just returned from a 5 day women's retreat regarding cancer. The big issue is changing the terrain of your body so that the cancer will not grow. Even with prophylactic surgery, if your body is primed for cancer, the cancer will grow. Cancer is not a disease of the organs, but a systemic disease. If you can correct your body's chemistry, cancer will not grow. This involves a number of issues, immune system, inflammation, stress, but it is all doable. Find a good naturopath to work with you on these issues, and talk to him or her before agreeing to surgery.0 -
BRCA 1 and 2 confusion
I have no family history of BRCA1 or 2, so did not opt for the genetic test. When I got my chemo assay back a few weeks ago, (they tested for chemos plus about 50 other things) I noticed that there was a BRCA 1 and 2 column. The BRCA 1 has a 4.23 ratio with is Over Expressed, while the BRCA 2 is a 2.07 ratio and is No Change. I did not get any kind of explantation of this, from my doctor.
When I brought all my assays etc to my Japanese doctor here, he said this is a test of the tumor, so there is some BRCA 1 in my tumor, but that does not mean that I am genetically pre-disposed to BRCA 1. Huh? If it is in the tumor, doesn't that mean that I have that gene?
This was new information for me. Is he right? Does anyone know anything about the BRCA 1 anf 2 tests they do on tumors for the assays?
Any input welcome,
kathleen0 -
BRCAkayandok said:BRCA 1 and 2 confusion
I have no family history of BRCA1 or 2, so did not opt for the genetic test. When I got my chemo assay back a few weeks ago, (they tested for chemos plus about 50 other things) I noticed that there was a BRCA 1 and 2 column. The BRCA 1 has a 4.23 ratio with is Over Expressed, while the BRCA 2 is a 2.07 ratio and is No Change. I did not get any kind of explantation of this, from my doctor.
When I brought all my assays etc to my Japanese doctor here, he said this is a test of the tumor, so there is some BRCA 1 in my tumor, but that does not mean that I am genetically pre-disposed to BRCA 1. Huh? If it is in the tumor, doesn't that mean that I have that gene?
This was new information for me. Is he right? Does anyone know anything about the BRCA 1 anf 2 tests they do on tumors for the assays?
Any input welcome,
kathleen
I have not heard of testing the tumor for the BRCA mutation. Perhaps you can contact the lab where the assay was done and ask them.0
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