Comparison of CA125, HE4, and ROMA index for ovarian cancer diagnosis

Abstract

ObjectiveIn view of the high rate of misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer, our study aimed to compare the performances of serum levels of human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125), as well as ROMA index in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. MethodsThree hundred and seventy-three patients who suffered ovarian cancer were selected in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from July 2016 to July 2017. Patients were divided into premenopause group and postmenopause group. Based on the results of pathologic examinations, patients were divided into malignant, benign, and borderline groups, which were further divided into different pathologic type groups. HE4 and CA125 serum levels in each patient were detected and the ROMA index was analyzed. ROC curve analysis was conducted to compare the performances of serum CA125, serum HE4, and ROMA index in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. ResultsProportion of postmenopausal patients in malignant group (65.2%) was significantly higher than that in the benign group (34.3%). Serum levels of CA125 and HE4, and ROMA index were higher in patients with different types of malignant tumor than those in corresponding benign group. Serum HE4, serum CA125, and ROMA index had better performance in the diagnosis of postmenopausal ovarian cancer than that of premenopausal ovarian cancer. The overall performance of ROMA and HE4 was better than that of CA125, but it was affected by pathologic types. ConclusionsSerum HE4, serum CA125, and ROMA can be used to predict ovarian cancer. HE4 and ROMA have better performance than CA125 in most cases, but pathologic types can also affect them.