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Combining a symptoms index with CA 125 to improve detection of ovarian cancer

  1. M. Robyn Andersen PhD1,2,†,*,
  2. Barbara A. Goff MD3,4,
  3. Kimberly A. Lowe PhD1,
  4. Nathalie Scholler PhD, MD5,
  5. Lindsay Bergan BS1,
  6. Charles W. Dresher MD1,6,
  7. Pamela Paley MD1,6,
  8. Nicole Urban ScD1,2

Article first published online: 25 JUN 2008

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23577

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 113, Issue 3, pages 484–489, 1 August 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Andersen, M. R., Goff, B. A., Lowe, K. A., Scholler, N., Bergan, L., Dresher, C. W., Paley, P. and Urban, N. (2008), Combining a symptoms index with CA 125 to improve detection of ovarian cancer. Cancer, 113: 484–489. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23577

Author Information

  1. 1

    Molecular Diagnostics Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington

  2. 2

    School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

  3. 3

    School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

  4. 4

    Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington

  5. 5

    School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  6. 6

    Pacific Gynecology Specialists, Seattle, Washington

  1. †

    Fax: (206) 667-7264,

*Translational Outcomes Research Group, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, M2-B230, PO Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 JUL 2008
  2. Article first published online: 25 JUN 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 20 MAR 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 14 MAR 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 30 NOV 2007

Funded by

  • Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research (Seattle, Wash)
  • National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute. Grant Number: P50 CA83636
  • Pacific Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium: Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Ovarian Cancer

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Keywords:

  • ovarian cancer;
  • CA 125;
  • blood biomarkers;
  • symptoms index;
  • case-control;
  • sensitivity;
  • specificity;
  • composite index

Abstract

BACKGROUND.

The current study sought to examine whether an index based on the specific pattern of symptoms commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer could be used in combination with CA 125 to improve the sensitivity or specificity of experimental methods of screening for ovarian cancer.

METHODS.

A prospective case-control study design was used. Participants included 254 healthy women at high risk for disease because of family history, and 75 women with ovarian cancer. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether the symptom index predicted cancer.

RESULTS.

Symptom index information was found to make a significant independent contribution to the prediction of ovarian cancer after controlling for CA 125 levels (P<.05). The combination of CA 125 and the symptom index identified 89.3% of the women with cancer, 80.6% of the early‒stage cancers, and 95.1% of the late-stage cancers. The symptom index identified cancer in 50% of the affected women who did not have elevated CA 125 levels. Unfortunately, 11.8% of the high-risk women without cancer also received a positive symptom index score.

CONCLUSIONS.

The addition of a symptom index to CA 125 created a composite index with a greater sensitivity for the detection of ovarian cancer than CA 125 alone and identified >80% of women with early-stage disease. A composite marker such as this could serve as a first screen in a multistep screening program in which false-positive findings are identified via transvaginal sonography before referral for surgery, leading to an adequate positive predictive value for the multistep program. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.

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