Publication:

Evaluation of risk malignancy index in the pre-operative diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms

Background Preoperative discrimination between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasm is necessary to optimally plan for an appropriate surgical treatment. Women with malignant ovarian tumours should be referred to a gynaecologic oncologist for the quality of cytoreductive surgery leading to increased survival. The aim of this study is to determine the role of Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) incorporating menopausal status, serum CA 125 levels and ultrasound features in discriminating benign from malignant ovarian neoplasms.

Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted for 2 years among 110 women with ovarian neoplasms referred to Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore a tertiary care centre for diagnosis and management. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of menopausal status, ultrasound finding of ovarian neoplasms, levels of serum CA-125 separately and combined into the RMI were calculated and compared. (RMI = U X M X Serum CA- 125). Women of all ages admitted with ovarian masses in Narayana Medical College, Nellore. Women whose histopathology report turned out to be non-neoplastic ovarian tumours or other adnexal masses.

Results RMI >250 had a sensitivity of 70.8 % (95%CI 54.4-87.2), a specificity of 87% (95%CI 76.5-97.7), a positive predictive value of 81 % and negative predictive value of 79.4% for the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms.

Conclusions The risk of malignancy index is a simple scoring system and easily applicable and effective method for evaluating a patient in discriminating benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms efficiently to optimize therapy. It facilitates timely referral to gynecological oncology unit for adequate staging and optimal debulking.