BRCA2 and Skin Disorder?

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Sullivan
Sullivan Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in Genetic Testing

Good day, y'all. 

I'm a 46, BRCA2+ and have been wondering about something...

From age 18-35, I suffered from a skin disorder that was undiagnosed for many years, and finally diagnosed as something called Prurigo Nodularis. (Loosely translated as itchy bumps).  I am fully convinced that this disorder was because of the BRCA2 mutation, as it is a tumor suppression gene, and my body was 65% covered with little tumors.  I emailed the Dermatology chair at the local Medical School, and he said he didn't know of any studies, but coincidentally, had a female patient with the same disorder who was also recently diagnosed with BC. 

So, I am throwing this out there...Do any of you who are BRCA2 positive have or ever had any type of skin disorder?  I believe there is a connection...

Comments

  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited August 2011

    hey sullivan, i spoke with my dermatologist last week and she confirmed there is actually a link between BRCA2 and melanoma (oh, joy.). she's going to do further research and get back to me. i don't know of any link between brca2 and what you describe. but who knows? as we have unfortunately discovered, genes are tricky buggers.

  • Sharon_W
    Sharon_W Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2011

    wow... I just found out the test was positive for BRCA2 and coincidentally, I have these bumps on my arms and chest and see the dermatologist tomorrow.  I thought they were unrelated and might have been caused by a sunscreen or something.  Let us know if you learn more about a connections. mmmm....

  • madpeacock
    madpeacock Member Posts: 369
    edited October 2011

    Just stumbled upon this thread. I am awaiting test results on my BRCA status with BC diagnosis as below. Father's family are Ashkenazi with no history of BC, BUT - my father died from melanoma and his sister, father, and mother have all had skin cancer. Connection? Will be interesting to see my test results....

  • lagaviota
    lagaviota Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2011

    I was dx with Stage 2 IDC in 98 when I was 23, no mets.  Had a fibroadenoma in the other breast and then had skin cancer on my nose which required MOHS surgery and reconstruction.  At the same time as dx for skin cancer in 2006 I was dx with BRCA2.  I remember looking through the message boards on youngsurvival website and found several women posting about having had skin cancer and then having a BC dx.  So I brought it up with my first dermatologist in 2006 (I ended up leaving him and going to a better dermatologist for the MOHS surgery) and he argued with me that there could be no connection between BRCA2 and skin cancer.  Well, he was wrong and I feel good knowing that I told him off.  

    But, then I saw a genetics counselor at Mayo in 2008 and she did tell me that there is a connection between skin cancers and BRCA2.  My father, from whom I believe I inherited BRCA2, has had multiple skin cancers and multiple skin disorders.  So yes, I do think there is a strong correlation between skin problems and BRCA2.

  • madpeacock
    madpeacock Member Posts: 369
    edited October 2011

    THank you for that info lagaviota. I'm going to squeeze in a dermatologist appt sometime soon after I get some more results. Got a phone call from genetics office late yesterday to tell me that my results weren't back yet for my Monday a.m. appt, so will have to wait a little longer. 

  • miffyjones
    miffyjones Member Posts: 33
    edited December 2011

    Hi Gals - I'm BRCA2 and have suffered an "eczema" type skin condition on my fingers, elbows, wrists, palms, outside of knees and ankles - it would flare up at any of these locations when it felt like it, and it could be big out breaks or just little spots of it since my early 20s. BUT when I went through my first round of chemo (FEC + Taxol) it totally totally disappeared - I mean 100% disappeared. Then in the last month or so my triple neg cancer has raised its head again, and lo and behold so did the excema on my fingers and palms - it did respond well to steroid cream though and has disappeared - unfortunately the mets have'nt. My father whom I inherited the gene from also had excema. From my experience, there is definately a link - I do know being BRCA, you do have a higher liklihood of developing skin cancer than the general population - my genetics counsellor told me that. fight the good fight and beat this thing. love to you all

  • Sullivan
    Sullivan Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2011

    I'm so glad to see that people have posted to this board.  My skin issue was most like Miffy's and I am 100% convinced that it is connected with BRCA 2.  I recently emailed the chair of the dermatology dept of the Med U here, and asked him about it.  His reply was that he was not aware of any connection, but he was treating a girl with the same condition as mine who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Coincidence?  I don't think so. I also developed my skin disorder in my 20's and had it until my mid 30's.  Since I've had my ovaries removed, it has completely disappeared.  

     I have also had 8 squamous cell moles removed, so I'm sure there is a connection there as well.

    Father is deceased and mother won't get the test.  Go figure.  

    Hang tight, my sisters.  XOXO 

  • redwolf8812
    redwolf8812 Member Posts: 2,463
    edited January 2012

    I'm brca2 and have had skin problems for as long as I can remember. It's very sensitive and takes a long time to heal. I've dealt with eczema, hives, severe reactions to insect bites, etc, since I was a child. I have scars all over from it.

  • isee
    isee Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2012

    Hi everyone, I am also BRCA2 postitive and have had eczema since I was around 5 years old. I now have vericose eczema on my lower legs....the patches are VERY itchy...and coincidentally I believe they cropped up a bit before my BC diagnosis. I have invasive tubular carcinoma.

  • miffyjones
    miffyjones Member Posts: 33
    edited February 2012

    Redwolfe - I'm the same with hives and insects / mossies / just love me - in my youth, I travelled thruogh Indonesia from Bali up to Sumatra and I came out in this amazing red rash that I had to get contisone injected evryday for 3 days, together with cortisone tablets and creams. and then it disappeared. Was very strange indeed. I do think it was BRCA related. My father and sister who carry the gene also had the eczema thing going on to. Strange, I'm going through treatment now and I've got the tinyiest little itchy spot on the left side of my little pinky and that's it. Now Im in chemo, am loving being eczema free. Good luck and God's blessings to you great ladies. Love Miffy

  • miffyjones
    miffyjones Member Posts: 33
    edited February 2012

    PS - I was told by my genetics counselor that there was an increased risk thought still single gigits of BRCA AND SKIN. i;ll see if I DIG OUT HER EXACT LIST OF INCREASED RISK FACTORS. XXOO

  • wshcraft70
    wshcraft70 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2012

    Hi, I just fell upon this website as I've just learned that I have the BRCA2 gene..  So when I saw the link to skin disorders I was shocked..  I've had severe psoriasis for years..  I was on humira and it nearly cleared me which links sorta of to the individual that had chemo and saw clearing..  So, I'm convinced that there MUST be a link out there...  I hope they will continue to research a potential connection..  Thanks for this forum!!

  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited May 2012

    I have just learned that I am BRCA 2 + Luckily I do not and have not had any skin problems to speak of. However, my sister has been having a terrible time with her skin - she has been checked for allergies etc to no avail. I think she is going to be tested for BRCA also.It is interesting to know that there is a very possible connection.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    I wonder if the bumps on my arms are the same thing. Were you biopsied to get a definitve diagnosis? 

    There was an interesting thread a few months ago on the FORCE website. Several people that are BRCA 1/2 positive also exhibit varying autoimmune disorders.

  • kebab
    kebab Member Posts: 873
    edited June 2012

    Just checking in with a "me too"!  I'm BRCA2+ and I've had issues with an eczema-type skin condition on my feet, elbows and hands since I was in my 20s.  Dermatologist says it's an allergy. Allergy specialist can't find anything I'm allergic to... Crazy stuff!

    I noticed when I did chemo (ACT) in 2008, it cleared right up. It had been not too bad for the past while, but about 6 months ago started getting worse again. Wouldn'tcha know, 3 months ago I was dxd with mets.  I totally believe there is a connection. 

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2012

    I am not BRCA+ but have had breast cancer, more than 20 skin basal cell carcinomas - including 3 during my BC treatment, numerous breast cysts - approx. half a dozen in each breast on post BMX pathology, ovarian cysts - including  lemon-sized one that ruptured, a 3cm pre-malignant mass discovered in rt ovary after ooph, uterine fibroids to numerous to count on hyst, and a 3cm B9 nerve sheath tumor removed from my calf.  Even though negative for the gene mutation I appparently like to make growths, although most of mine seem to be hormonal!  Interesting thread.

  • LisaJey
    LisaJey Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2012

    I am a 47 year old BRCA2 patient (not BC) and had double mastectomy / ovaries and tubes removed as a result. I have been miserable over the last few summers (mostly when it's summer) with recurring itchy spots, bumps, sometimes they appear to be several big bites all over my body (but my boyfriend never gets bit) which turn into huge swollen, oozy sores...  and I am convinced it's related.  I have an appointment with my derm and plan to show him this thread.  He's all over researching this stuff.. I hope to find a way to live itch-free/bump-free again one day...

  • Rachel1
    Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
    edited September 2012

    BRCA2+ as well and YES with the eczema. I had it as a little girl -- my fingers, toes, eyelids and behind my ears.  I'll still get it on my fingers if I was lots of dishes.  None of my brothers suffered from eczema and they are all fine.  In fact, there is no bc to speak of in my family -- except me.  :-(

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