LabCorp announces nationwide availability of Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm

Laboratory Corporation of America^® Holdings (LabCorp^®) (NYSE: LH) announced today the nationwide availability of a new FDA cleared risk stratification tool (ROMA^®, Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm) that combines the results for Fujirebio HE4, Abbott's ARCHITECT^® CA 125 II, and menopausal status into a numerical score that, along with clinical and radiological evaluation, can aid in evaluating whether a woman over the age of 18 who presents with an ovarian mass and for whom surgery is planned is at high or low likelihood of finding malignancy on surgery.

Approximately 300,000 women present with a pelvic mass every year, and an overwhelming percentage of those masses are diagnosed as benign. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Practice Bulletin published in July of 2007 (Bulletin #83) states that "Women with ovarian cancer whose care is managed by physicians who have advanced training and expertise in the treatment of women with ovarian cancer, such as gynecologic oncologists, have improved overall survival rates compared with those treated without such collaboration." Therefore, there is a need for an accurate and specific risk stratification tool to assess malignancy in these women to help ensure they receive the best possible treatment.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer that are related to the presence of masses are often vague and unspecific. The primary goal of diagnostic evaluation of an adnexal mass is to determine whether it is benign or malignant. ROMA provides equal sensitivity to other commercially available risk stratification tools while improving the specificity for determining the risk level of malignancy. "ROMA is an important additional tool for physicians to have to aid in the risk stratification of their patients," said Dr. Mark Brecher, LabCorp's Chief Medical Officer. "When used in conjunction with clinical exam and radiological studies, it will assist patients in receiving the most appropriate referrals."

ROMA is intended to aid in assessing whether a premenopausal or postmenopausal woman who presents with an ovarian adnexal mass is at high or low likelihood of finding malignancy on surgery. ROMA is indicated for women who meet the following criteria: over age 18, ovarian adnexal mass present for which surgery is planned, and not yet referred to an oncologist. ROMA must be interpreted in conjunction with an independent clinical and radiological assessment. The test is not intended as a screening or stand-alone diagnostic assay. Incorrect use of ROMA carries the risk of unnecessary testing, surgery, and/or delayed diagnosis.

Source: LabCorp