Economic Impact of Increased Utilization of Multivariate Assay Testing to Guide the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Payers.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women, but ranks fifth in cancer-related causes of death, the majority of which are detected in late stages, after the cancer has metastasized. The CA125 test is the standard of care for assessing suspicious pelvic masses. However, the primary use of CA125 is to monitor treatment progress rather than to screen for disease, and its sensitivity is exceedingly low, unlike the multivariate assay OVA1.

The evolution of multigene panel testing for hereditary cancers.

A thorough family history evaluation remains a critical tool that helps identify those patients who are at risk for hereditary cancer. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all women receive a family history evaluation to screen for inherited risk, and that this information be regularly updated. Patients with an abnormal cancer family history need additional follow-up that may include hereditary cancer testing.