Dual-marker algorithm better predicts risk for ovarian cancer

A novel multiple marker assay that uses serum HE4 and CA125 to calculate a Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) better predicts epithelial ovarian cancer in women with pelvic masses than the Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI), according to recently published research.

Researchers included in their study 457 women with an identified pelvic mass or ovarian cyst and planned surgical intervention. They determined RMI values using CA125, imaging score, and menopausal status and established ROMA values using HE4, CA125, and menopausal status.

The researchers found that the sensitivity for distinguishing benign masses from cancerous lesions was 94.3% for ROMA and 84.6% for RMI (P=.0029) at a set specificity of 75%. For women with stage I or II disease, sensitivities were 85.3% and 64.7%, respectively (P<.0001).