Do Ovarian Cancer Patients with a Family History of Cancer (Suspected BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation) Suffer Greater Chemotherapy Toxicity?

Objective: Few studies have examined toxicity from potentially curative chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients at risk for breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) mutation. Methods/Results: Ninety-four of the 482 patients appeared at risk for a mutation based on family history and 23 had a confirmed mutation. Hospitalization or emergency department visits were not increased based on family history with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.88 (0.52, 1.45) (p =.62) and 0.90 (0.49, 1.58) (p =.71), respectively; similar findings were observed with confirmed mutations. Trends favored improved survival. Conclusions: Concern for a BRCA mutation should not preclude full dose chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients treated with curative intent.