Male BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: a pilot study investigating medical characteristics of patients participating in a prostate cancer prevention clinic.

BACKGROUND: Male BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are at an increased risk to develop prostate cancer and are subject to screening protocols for high-risk men. The utility of targeted screening, and the clinical and pathological features associated with prostate cancer, have received little attention in this population.

METHODS: We report on the clinical screening and pathological characteristics of a group of 19 men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, as compared to an age-matched group of men with a family history of prostate cancer.

RESULTS: Mutation carriers were significantly more likely to have an elevated PSA at first visit (P = 0.03). Prostate cancer was twice as likely to be diagnosed in mutation carriers although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer surveillance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers is warranted. Further research on larger cohorts is needed to evaluate whether unique pathological prostate cancer characteristics exist in these men.