The ROMA Score, also known as the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm, is a risk assessment tool used in the field of gynecology and oncology to evaluate the likelihood of ovarian malignancy (cancer) in women who have a pelvic mass or an ovarian tumor. It is designed to aid healthcare professionals in determining whether further evaluation or surgical intervention is necessary.
The ROMA Score combines the measurement of two blood biomarkers, CA 125 and HE4 (human epididymis protein 4), along with menopausal status, to calculate the risk of ovarian malignancy. CA 125 is a protein that can be elevated in the blood of women with ovarian cancer, while HE4 is another protein associated with ovarian cancer. Menopausal status is considered as it can influence the interpretation of the biomarker results.
The ROMA Score is calculated using a specific formula based on the biomarker levels and menopausal status, and it provides a numerical value or percentage indicating the estimated risk of ovarian malignancy. A higher ROMA Score suggests a higher likelihood of ovarian cancer.
The ROMA Score is not a definitive diagnostic tool but rather a risk assessment tool. It assists healthcare professionals in making informed decisions regarding further testing, imaging, or referral for treatment.
Among women presenting with a pelvic mass, the combined use of HE4 and CA 125 using ROMA can increase the sensitivity and specificity of risk estimation of patients with pelvic mass - even stages I/II ovarian cancer – than CA 125 alone.
- ROMA accurately identifies 94% of the patients with pelvic mass as having ovarian cancer.
- ROMA has a higher specificity than CA 125 alone: Among ten women with ovarian cancer, ROMA identifies one more patient than CA 125 alone (sensitivity: ROMA 90% vs. CA 125 79%).
- ROMA has a higher sensitivity than CA 125 alone: Among ten women with benign gynecologic diseases, ROMA dismisses one more patient which CA 125 alone would include as having ovarian cancer (Specificity: ROMA 93% vs. CA 125 86%).
- ROMA has a higher sensitivity and specificity in detecting stages I/II ovarian cancer than CA 125 alone.
ROMA is a registered trademark of Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc.
