OBJECTIVE: The presence of deleterious mutations in breast cancer (BRCA)-1 or 
BRCA-2 gene has a decisive influence on the development of various types of 
neoplasms, such as breast, ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers. Primary 
peritoneal cancer is an aggressive malignancy which, due to the absence of a 
specific screening test, cannot be diagnosed in its early stages. As a 
risk-reducing option, prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 
mastectomy are often proposed in BRCA gene carriers. The effectiveness of a 
preventive surgical treatment is, however, unclear in the development of 
peritoneal cancer.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: An extensive electronic search was performed in PubMed, 
Scopus, and Cochrane databases.
RESULTS: The total number of patients who underwent prophylactic bilateral 
salpingo-oophorectomy was 1,830, of whom 28 presented with peritoneal cancer 
(1.53%). The age of the included patients ranged from 48 to 61 years. BRCA-1 was 
present in 9 out of 28 patients and BRCA-2 in 2 patients, while the type of BRCA 
was unclear in 17 patients. Salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in 23 out of 28 
patients, while oophorectomy was carried out in 5 patients. The interval from 
initial risk-reducing surgical treatment to the presentation of peritoneal 
cancer ranged from 12 to 84 months.
CONCLUSION: Modification of the follow-up guidelines and increase in healthcare 
providers' awareness may reduce the risk of peritoneal cancer.