A 45-year-old woman is found to have a BRCA2 pathogenic variant with no current cancer. She opts for risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). By approximately what percentage does RRSO reduce breast cancer risk in BRCA2 carriers when performed before natural menopause?
- A 45–60% ✓
- B 10–15%
- C 25–30%
- D 70–80%
Correct answer: A. 45–60%
Explanation
Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in premenopausal BRCA2 carriers reduces breast cancer risk by approximately 45–60% by eliminating estrogen stimulation. The benefit is less pronounced in BRCA1 carriers (approximately 10–20%) because BRCA1-associated tumors tend to be ER-negative. RRSO also reduces ovarian/fallopian tube cancer risk by over 80% in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.