Nine samples (18%) were found to have loss of BRCA1 due to epigenetic events; these samples all had hypermethylation of the BRCA1 promoter accompanied by decreased BRCA1 mRNA levels (relative qRT-PCR expression <0.7) and/or lack (less than 1% of tumour nuclei) of BRCA1 immunohistochemical staining. The gene discussed is BRCA1; the disease is neoplasm.