title: Risk of malignancy index in the preoperative evaluation of pelvic masses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the ability of a risk malignancy index (RMI) based on serum levels of CA 125, ultrasound findings, and menopausal status to discriminate between benign and malignant pelvic masses in a particular population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted of 100 women with pelvic masses admitted for laparotomy. The sensitivity and specificity of serum levels of CA 125, ultrasound findings, and menopausal status were calculated both separately and combined into a RMI to diagnose malignancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RMI was more accurate than any single criterion in diagnosing malignancy. Using a cut-off level of 200 to indicate malignancy, the RMI gave a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 96%, and negative predictive value of 78%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RMI is able to correctly discriminate between malignant and benign pelvic masses. It is a simple scoring system that can be introduced easily into clinical practice to facilitate the selection of patients who would benefit from primary surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 2954, Irbid 21110, Jordan. ba1971@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Obeidat
authors.forename: Z O
authors.initials: ZO
authors.lastname: Amarin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Latimer
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen