OVA-1 is not securely established to be superior to Ca-125. Although there was a study determined that incorporating OVA1 in lieu of CA125 improved the sensitivity of the ACOG referral guidelines (77% to 94%) and the negative predictive value (87% to 93%) while decreasing specificity (68% to 35%) and negative predictive value (87% to 93%), with similar outcomes in premenopausal women and those with early-stage disease that enabled the researchers to detect almost 80% of all missed malignancies and more than 90% of missed epithelial ovarian cancers. Still, current American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines specify CA125 as the biomarker of choice in conjunction with other factors, including menopausal status, physical examination, family history, and imaging to determine patient risk levels and treatment plans.
SGO says: "As physicians who are expert in the care of women with gynecologic cancers, members of the SGO are supportive of scientific advances such as OVA1 that may help healthcare providers better detect when referral to a gynecologic oncologist is indicated. However, this test has not been approved for use as an ovarian cancer screening tool, nor has it been proven to result in early detection or reduce the risk of death from this disease. Results from the OVA1 test should not be interpreted independently, nor be used in place of a physician’s clinical assessment. Physicians are strongly encouraged to reference the SGO/ACOG Pelvic Mass Guidelines to determine an appropriate care plan for their patients."
Ueland F, DeSimone C, Seamon L, et al. The OVA1 test improves the preoperative assessment of ovarian tumors. Gynecol Oncol. 2010;116(3 suppl 1):S23.
The Role of the Obstetrician-Gynecologist in the Early Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Committee Opinion No.477. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol; 117:742-6
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