A retrospective analysis of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy performed in women diagnosed with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer at our institution

Abstract Background Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) confers a markedly increased lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers. As no effective surveillance method for early detection of ovarian cancer has been established, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is recommended for patients with HBOC to prevent disease onset. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with HBOC and the surgical outcomes of RRSO performed at our institution. Methods We retrospectively reviewed women diagnosed with HBOC at our institution between 2018 and 2024. For analyses of surgical outcomes, male patients, patients with prior bilateral adnexectomy, and patients diagnosed with HBOC who did not undergo RRSO were excluded. Clinical data including patient characteristics, surgical procedures, genetic testing, and pathological findings were assessed. Results A total of 283 women were diagnosed with HBOC, and 43 (15.1%) underwent testing based on the results of affected relatives. After excluding 39 patients with prior bilateral adnexectomy, and 105 who did not undergo RRSO, 139 patients were included in the surgical analysis. The uptake rate of RRSO among female patients with HBOC was 57%. The median age at surgery was 50 years (range, 35–75). Pathogenic BRCA1 variants were identified in 48 patients (34.5%), BRCA2 variants in 90 (64.7%), and both BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants in 1 (0.7%). A history of malignancy was observed in 121 patients (breast cancer, n = 121; pancreatic cancer, n = 1; ovarian cancer, n = 1; others, n = 3). Laparoscopic RRSO was performed in 138 cases, with one additional hysterectomy performed laparoscopically and one via laparotomy. No perioperative complications were observed. All 6 cases before April 2020 were performed outside insurance coverage; after insurance coverage was initiated in April 2020, 16 were non-covered and 117 were covered by insurance. Pathological examination revealed occult high-grade serous carcinoma in 4 patients (2.9%) and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma in 5 patients (3.6%). To date, no cases of primary peritoneal carcinoma following RRSO have been identified. Conclusions RRSO was performed safely at our institution, with the detection rate of intraepithelial and invasive carcinoma comparable to previous reports. Although no cases of primary peritoneal carcinoma have been observed postoperatively to date, the residual risk remains, indicating the need for continued long-term surveillance.