Lympho-vascular invasion in BRCA related breast cancer compared to sporadic controls

• Published in: BMC cancer 2010-04, Vol.10 (1), p.145-145, Article 145
• Main Authors: Heerma van Voss, Marise R, van der Groep, Petra, Bart, Jos, van der Wall, Elsken, van Diest, Paul J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - blood supply; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer; Case-Control Studies; Development and progression; DNA repair; Family medical history; Female; Gene expression; Gene mutations; Genes, BRCA1; Genetic aspects; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic screening; Genotype & phenotype; Germ-Line Mutation; Humans; Identification and classification; Lymphatic Vessels - pathology; Methods; Mutation; Neovascularization, Pathologic - genetics; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Phenotype; Studies; Tumors
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-145

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene predispose to the development of breast cancer, exhibiting a specific histological phenotype. Identification of possible hallmarks of these tumors is important for selecting patients for genetic screening and provides inside in carcinogenetic pathways.Since BRCA1-associated breast cancers have pushing borders that prevent them from easily reaching vessels and are often of the medullary (like) type that is known to have a low rate of lympho-vascular invasion (LVI), we hypothesized that absence of LVI could characterize BRCA1 related breast cancer. A population of 68 BRCA1 related invasive breast cancers was evaluated for LVI by an experienced breast pathologist blinded to mutation status, and compared to a control group matched for age, grade and tumor type. LVI was present in 25.0% of BRCA1 related cases, compared to 20.6% of controls (P = 0.54, OR = 1.29, CI 0.58-2.78). LVI is frequent in BRCA1 germline mutation related breast cancers, but seems to occur as often in sporadic controls matched for age, grade and tumor type. Apparently, these hereditary cancers find their way to the blood and lymph vessels despite their well demarcation and often medullary differentiation.