BRCA2 and Skin Disorder?

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....

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.

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

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.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.  :-(