Ovarian Ca risk assessment tool has potential

Using a risk assessment score that incorporates CA 125 values, prealbumin, and menopausal status may help predict which women presenting with a pelvic mass are most likely to have ovarian cancer, according to this prize-winning paper presented at the 2006 ACOG clinical meeting in Washington, D.C. When investigators from St. Vincent Women's Hospital in Indianapolis used these three parameters to determine preoperative risk in 130 women, 129 of whom subsequently underwent a laparotomy, an ovarian cancer risk assessment (OCRA) score of 200 or greater yielded a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 83%, and positive predictive value of 78% for detecting ovarian cancer. In the words of the researchers: "[OCRA] can be easily applied clinically and may help facilitate appropriate referral of women to gynecologic oncologists..."

Ronco DA, Geisler JP, Manahan KJ. Ovarian cancer risk assessment: A tool for preoperative prediction of ovarian cancer in women with pelvic masses. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107 (4 suppl):11S.