Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, the preventive removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, is recommended to women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in order to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian and fallopian tube cancer. The short and long term health and quality of life effects of this procedure are not well understood. We examined the actual and perceived reduction in cancer risk associated with this surgery. The impact of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy on health-related quality of life, psychological distress, cancer worry, menopausal symptoms, and sexual function during the year following surgery was also evaluated. In our prospective study, prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with an 80% reduction in ovarian and fallopian tube cancer risk. The residual risk for primary peritoneal cancer was 0.2% per year or 4.3% at 20 years after salpingo-oophorectomy. Most women accurately perceived their risk of breast cancer. However, the risk for ovarian cancer was overestimated, particularly by women who carry a BRCA2 mutation. Physical and mental health-related quality of life did not decrease in the year following surgery; and psychological distress was similar to levels experienced by the general population. Most women were significantly less worried about cancer after the surgery, however, a subset of women continued to experience significant cancer specific distress after prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Women who underwent prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy when premenopausal experienced a significant worsening of vasomotor symptoms and a decline in sexual functioning. Hormone replacement therapy mitigated these symptoms, but not to pre-surgical levels. Dyspareunia was somewhat alleviated by hormone replacement therapy, however, the decrease in sexual pleasure was not. Satisfaction with the decision to undergo prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was high regardless of these symptoms. These studies will provide women who are considering prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy with information about the reduction in cancer risk associated with the surgery and the possible effects experienced during the year following surgery.

Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, the preventive removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, is recommended to women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in order to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian and fallopian tube cancer. The short and long term health and quality of life effects of this procedure are not well understood. We examined the actual and perceived reduction in cancer risk associated with this surgery. The impact of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy on health-related quality of life, psychological distress, cancer worry, menopausal symptoms, and sexual function during the year following surgery was also evaluated. In our prospective study, prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with an 80% reduction in ovarian and fallopian tube cancer risk. The residual risk for primary peritoneal cancer was 0.2% per year or 4.3% at 20 years after salpingo-oophorectomy. Most women accurately perceived their risk of breast cancer. However, the risk for ovarian cancer was overestimated, particularly by women who carry a BRCA2 mutation. Physical and mental health-related quality of life did not decrease in the year following surgery; and psychological distress was similar to levels experienced by the general population. Most women were significantly less worried about cancer after the surgery, however, a subset of women continued to experience significant cancer specific distress after prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Women who underwent prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy when premenopausal experienced a significant worsening of vasomotor symptoms and a decline in sexual functioning. Hormone replacement therapy mitigated these symptoms, but not to pre-surgical levels. Dyspareunia was somewhat alleviated by hormone replacement therapy, however, the decrease in sexual pleasure was not. Satisfaction with the decision to undergo prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy was high regardless of these symptoms. These studies will provide women who are considering prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy with information about the reduction in cancer risk associated with the surgery and the possible effects experienced during the year following surgery.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.

Introdução: Mulheres portadoras de mutações germinativas BRCA1 ou BRCA2 apresentam um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário em comparação com a população geral, enquanto a salpingo-ooforectomia redutora de risco (SORR) reduz significativamente a incidência desses cânceres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características clínicas e patológicas de uma população franco-canadense que realizou a SORR. A morbidade cirúrgica também foi avaliada. Materiais e Métodos: Entre dezembro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009, todas as pacientes submetidas à SORR foram identificadas. Os prontuários médicos foram revisados. Estatística descritiva, teste exato de Fischer, e teste t de Student foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Durante o período de estudo, a SORR foi realizada em 119 mulheres. A média de idade no momento da cirurgia foi de 49 anos (35-72 anos); e 63 pacientes (53%) estavam na pré-menopausa. Sessenta e duas mulheres (52%) tinham uma história de câncer de mama in situ ou invasor. Mutações nos genes BRCA1 e BRCA2 estavam presentes em 34 pacientes (29%) e 42 pacientes (35%), respectivamente. Desse modo, 43 pacientes (36%) foram consideradas como tendo um risco aumentado de câncer de mama e de ovário, apesar de um teste negativo para ambos os genes (n = 23) ou desconhecido, porque o paciente recusou teste genético (n = 20). A maioria das pacientes com útero foi submetida a uma histerectomia complementar (65%). Seis complicações ocorreram (3 hematomas, 2 arritmias cardíacas e uma cistostomia). Em uma paciente (0,8%), um carcinoma ovariano de alto grau estadio II foi descoberto no momento da cirurgia. Atipias de tubas de falópio foram identificadas na patologia final em 8 casos (6,7%). Após um acompanhamento médio de 22 meses, 4 mulheres (3,4%) desenvolveram câncer de mama e uma paciente (0,8%) desenvolveu câncer peritoneal. Conclusões: a SORR é altamente eficaz na prevenção de câncer de ovário, tuba de falópio, e de carcinomas de mama em uma população franco-canadense de alto risco, sendo que a morbidade cirúrgica é baixa. / Background: Women with germ line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a marked increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer compared with the general population, whereas risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly lowers the incidence of these cancers. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and pathological characteristics of a French Canadian population undergoing RRSO. Surgical morbidity was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: From December 1999 to December 2009, all women who underwent RRSO at our institution were identified. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive statistics, the Fischer exact test, and the Student t test were used for analysis. Results: During the study period, RRSO was performed on 119 women. Mean age at surgery was 49 years (35-72 years), and 63 patients (53%) were premenopausal. Sixty two women (52%) had a history of in situ or invasive breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 34 patients (29%) and 42 patients (35%), respectively, whereas 43 patients (36%) were considered to have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, despite a personal genetic test, which was either negative (n = 23) or unknown because the patient declined genetic testing (n = 20). Most patients with an uterus in place had a complementary hysterectomy (65%). Six complications occurred (3 hematomas, 2 cardiac arrhythmias, and 1 cystotomy). In one patient (0.8%), a high-grade stage II ovarian cancer was discovered at the time of surgery. Fallopian tube atypias were identified on final pathology in 8 cases (6.7%). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 4 women (3.4%) developed breast cancer and one woman (0.8%) developed peritoneal cancer. Conclusions: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy is highly effective in preventing ovarian, fallopian tube, and breast cancers in a high-risk French Canadian population; and the surgical morbidity is low.