Hereditary predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer is mainly attributable to tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Together, these two genes account for up to 80% of cancer cases in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families. Molecular diagnosis is nowadays standard practice in western world and allows medical oncogenetic follow-up for BRCA mutation carriers and for their families. Close surveillance of patients includes early and

Hereditary predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer is mainly attributable to predisposition genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Lifetime risk of developing either breast or ovarian cancer is significantly higher for BRCA germ line deleterious mutation carriers compared to the general population. Screening for BRCA mutations is nowadays standard practice in the western world, and allows medical follow-up and genetic counseling for patients. In spite of the

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, including Romania, where its incidence has increased significantly during the last decade. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of mortality by cancer in women. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are major cancer predisposition genes, responsible for a large percentage of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families. We investigated 17 patients from unrelated HBOC families in northeastern Romania,