Among 799 patients with prostate cancer, the rate of BRCA1/2 mutations was much higher among those who passed away of prostate cancer (6.07%) compared to those with low risk disease (1.44%).1 Among the group that died of prostate cancer, those with BRCA1/2 or ATM mutations passed away at an earlier age and had a shorter survival time compared to date of diagnosis. These findings suggest that prostate cancer patients with inherited mutations in BRCA1/2 and ATM have a poorer prognosis, with a higher risk of dying at an earlier age. These results are consistent with results of prior efforts, and highlight the importance of genetic testing among these patients to inform decisions regarding prostate cancer screening and treatment.
1Na R, et al. Germline Mutations in ATM and BRCA1/2 Distinguish Risk for Lethal and Indolent Prostate Cancer and are Associated with Early Age at Death. Eur Urol. 2016 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print]; PMID: 27989354.