Test Results For:
Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)
Test Overview
- Test Name
-
Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)
- Test Code
- CA153
Short Description
CA 15-3
Test Name
Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)
Test Code
CA153
Category
Immunoassay
TAT
Main Lab:
6
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<8hrs, <6hrs
Specimen(s)
1 x Venous blood - 5 mL Tube - Gold - SST-Serum Separator Tube
Specimen Type
SST-Serum Separator Tube
Specimen Format
Tube
Specimen Colour
Gold
Specimen Volume
5 mL
Sampling Order
2
Origin
Venous blood
Collection Time after baseline
-
Transport Temperature
15-25°C
Accepted Other Specimens
Serum
TAT
Main Lab:
6
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<8hrs, <6hrs
Test Stability
Room Temp:
24 Hour(s)
2–8°C:
5 Day(s)
Methodology
-
Specimen Type
SST-Serum Separator Tube
Other Type of Specimen Accepted
Serum
Delay before pre-treatment
6
Transport temperature
15-25°C
Test stability at room temperature
24 Hour(s)
Test stability at 2–8°C
5 Day(s)
Haemolysis interference
No
Clinical Interest
CA 15-3 is a protein produced by breast cancer cells and other cells in the body.
The main clinical interest in CA 15-3 lies in monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer. CA 15-3 is elevated in approximately 70-80% of patients.
Increased levels may indicate disease progression or recurrence, while decreased levels suggest a favourable response to treatment (e.g. chemotherapy or hormone therapy).
CA 15-3 should not be used for the initial diagnosis of breast cancer, as it may be normal in the early stages of the disease, and elevated levels may be seen in other conditions.
Although most commonly used in breast cancer, CA 15-3 can be elevated in other malignancies:
- ovarian cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer
- or pancreatic cancer
CA 15-3 levels can also be elevated in non-cancerous conditions, but generally to a lesser extent.
Consequently, an elevated CA 15-3 level is not always an indication of malignancy and should be interpreted according to the clinical context.
Clinical Information Required
-
Patient Collection Note
-
LOINC Code
08-6, 8308-6, 83083-6
Outwork
No