Screening Protocol of Jacobs et al for Ovarian Cancer Using CA125 and Ultrasound

 

Protocol:

(1) A serum CA125 was performed.

(2) If the serum CA125 was >= 30 U/mL, ovarian ultrasound was performed.

(3) If either the left or right ovary showed a volume >= 8.8 mL on ultrasound, a second ultrasound was performed to confirm the ovarian size.

(4) If the ovarian size was confirmed, then the patient underwent surgical exploration.

 

In a group of 10,958 women who underwent the screening protocol

(1) 468 women had an elevated CA125 level, of whom 29 were referred for further evaluation.

(2) 6 of the 29 patients had a malignant tumor of the fallopian tube or ovary, giving a positive predictive value of about 21%

(3) A larger study was felt necessary to see if the screening affected mortality..