ABSTRACT
Background: Ovarian carcinoma is a silent killer because it presents in advanced stage. In India, it ranks third after carcinoma cervix and breast. Incidence of ovarian cancer is 5.4-8.0 per 100,000 in India. Various versions of risk of malignancy index have been studied to show its validity in different settings. We have studied third version of risk of malignancy index in a resource poor setting in India.Methods: In this prospective observational study 74 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with ovarian mass were recruited. Menopausal score (M), Ultrasonography score (U) and CA-125 are components of Risk of Malignancy Index 3. Patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography and CA-125 level was assessed. Scores of M 1-3, U 1-3 and absolute value of CA-125 was multiplied. This product was value of Risk of Malignancy Index 3. If it is less than 250 it suggests absence of malignancy and more than 250 strongly suggests malignancy. Results were confirmed by histopathology.Results: Fifty six percent women were cancer positive. Ovarian malignancy was more common in postmenopausal age group. Ultrasonography and CA-125 had high sensitivity of 90% but poor specificity. Risk of malignancy index 3 had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 90%, 91%, 78% and 96% respectively at a cut off value of 250.Conclusions: Risk of malignancy index was concluded to be a multimodal approach with better diagnostic scoring index in preoperative stage in women of ovarian masses. It is simple and easily applicable clinical tool in resource poor setting.