BRCA mutations and the risk of angiosarcoma after breast cancer treatment

Clin Breast Cancer. 2008 Dec;8(6):533-7. doi: 10.3816/CBC.2008.n.066.

Abstract

Post-breast cancer treatment-related angiosarcomas were first observed in lymphedematous extremities after mastectomy and are now being reported with increasing frequency after lumpectomy and radiation. A case history is presented of a BRCA2 carrier who had a postmastectomy chest wall angiosarcoma but had neither therapeutic radiation nor clinically evident lymphedema. The absence of established risk factors led to speculation that the BRCA2 germline mutation could be a causative factor in the development of this patient's angiosarcoma. A literature review supported this concept.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Germ-Line Mutation*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • BRCA2 Protein