Comparing the Diagnostic Value of the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm and CA125 in Patients with Ovarian Mass

Background and purpose: Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from gynecological cancers in women. Using specific tumor markers that help in making diagnosis at early stages improve therapeutic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) index in patients with ovarian mass. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 84 patients with diagnosis of ovarian mass admitted in Mashhad Ghaem Hospital. After obtaining informed consent and recording demographic data, serum levels of CA125 (Cancer antigen -125), HE4 (Human Epididymis Secretory Protein 4) and ROMA were recorded before the surgery. The results were then compared with pathological outcomes. Data analysis was done in SPSS V20 applying Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 44.54 ± 13.53 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and total accuracy of CA125 in diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors were 57.89%, 84.61%, 52.38%, 87.3% and 78.75%, respectively (P<0.001). Also, the values for ROMA were 94.78%, 93.75%, 75%, 92.3%, and 89.29% (P<0.001). ROMA was found with a high diagnostic accuracy in women before and after menopause. Conclusion: Current study showed that the diagnostic accuracy of ROMA index in detection of malignant ovarian tumors is very high compared to CA125, therefore, it could be used in investigating malignant ovarian mass before surgery.