Implementing the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm Adding Obesity as a Predictive Factor

Aim: To evaluate whether obesity represents a risk factor for the onset of ovarian cancer. Patients and Methods: One hundred and sixty-three patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m(2) (group 1) and 130 women with a BMI of < 25 kg/m(2) (group 2) were included in the study. Results: A Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) index above the cut-off (> 13%) was found in 24.5% of group 1 patients, whereas a high ROMA score was identified in 5.3% of group 2 women. During the study, 13 out of 40 group 1 patients with ROMA > 13% were deemed eligible for bariatric surgery. After bariatric surgery and decrease of BMI, eight out of these 13 obese women had a ROMA index < 13%. Conclusion: The ROMA index may function as a simple test able to screen obese women at risk of developing ovarian cancer.