Study Finds Potential Link Between Breast Cancer Genes, Salivary Gland Cancer October 8, 2014 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- October 8, 2014 -- The risk of developing cancer in a salivary gland might be higher in people with mutations in either of 2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer, according to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Although salivary gland cancer is rare, this retrospective study suggests it occurs 17 times more often in people with inherited mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2, than those in the general population. “Further study is needed to confirm this preliminary result, but I believe that a BRCA-positive patient with a lump in a salivary gland should have that lesion evaluated as soon as possible,” said Theodoros Teknos, MD, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio. It is well known that women who inherit mutations in either of the 2 genes have a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer than women without the mutation; men with the mutations are at higher risk of breast cancer. The 2 mutated genes are also linked to prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers. Principal investigator Rebecca Nagy, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, recommends that individuals who carry a BRCA mutation need to be made aware of this possible association. “The finding should be considered during genetic counselling of families with inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations,” said Nagy. “In the future, patients with salivary-gland cancer and their family members might be referred for BRCA testing, or carriers of BRCA mutations might undergo surveillance for salivary gland cancers.” For the study, the researchers searched a large BRCA-gene-mutation database maintained by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center for salivary gland cancers. Out of 5,754 people with mutations in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, the researchers identified 3 cases of salivary gland cancer (0.052%). “I would like physicians and dentists to realise that BRCA mutations carry risks for salivary gland cancer as well as breast cancer, and to remember that salivary glands include not only the paired parotid glands and submandibular glands but also innumerable minor salivary glands in the oral cavity,” said Dr. Teknos.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:01:28 +0000
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