Risk assessment of epithelial ovarian cancer (ROMA)

What is the ROMA test?

The ROMA test is an algorithm to assess the likelihood of ovarian cancer risk in women with tumors present in the pelvic region.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common and highly fatal cancersr in women. Initially, the disease develops without visible symptomsr, which makes it difficult to detect the cancer at an early stage.

Ovarian cancer is the most common type of cancer in women.

Ovarian cancer is the most common type of cancer in women

The leading cause of mortality from ovarian canceris the asymptomatic course until the early stageswhen the cancer begins to spread beyond the ovaries.

For this reason, 70%-75% of ovarian cancer cases are detected incidentally.

Patients report to a gynecologist most often because of painlin the lower abdomen. They may also report uncharacteristic symptoms, such as:

• indigestion
• coughing
• nausea
• vomiting
• lack of appetite

An absolute indication for further diagnosis is the occurrence of:

• painful pressure on the bladder
• bl when urinating
• vaginal bleeding

Algorithm ROMA (from Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) is calculated based on the determined concentrations of two cancer markers CA125  and HE4  and taking into account a woman's menopausal status. Based on it, women can be classified into a high or low risk group for ovarian cancer. Performing the determination of both markersat the same time and calculating the ROMA value increases the diagnostic value of these tests. Particularly, the role of ROMA in detecting early forms of ovarian cancer is emphasized.

The ROMA test is not recommended for the diagnosis of women under 18 years of age, previously treated for cancerr or currently undergoing chemotherapy.

When should the ROMA test be performed?

The ROMA test is performed to estimate the risk of ovarian cancer in women with current pelvic tumors.

Depending on the resultsof this test and their interpretation by the treating physician (combined with the information provided by other tests and an assessment of the patient's overall clinical status), a decision can be made about possible further management and the type of treatment undertaken (including surgical treatment).

Who should take the ROMA test?

Ovarian cancer can be associated with a genetic predisposition, and therefore women who have been diagnosed with the disease among close relatives are at a higher risk of developing this cancer.

Women who have been diagnosed with the disease among close relatives are at higher risk

The ROMA test is usually referred by a doctor after finding alarming symptomsor other testresults that could indicate the presence of a cancerous process taking place in the ovary.

Symptoms thatre urgently should refer the patient to a doctor are:

• bl in the pelvis
• increased abdominal girth
• constipation, bloating
• bl and a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
• painful pressure on the bladder, painl when urinating
• feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• vaginal bleeding unrelated to the menstrual cycle
• symptoms resulting from tumor pressure on the urinary and digestive systems