Method of Collection:
Volume as mentioned on gel vacutainer (Yellow)
Days for reporting:
1 Day
Reference:
| Interpretation :- CA 15.3 is a reasonbly sensitive Tumour Marker for BREAST CANCER which have already been diagnosed. Baseline levels measured prior to therapeutic intervention, and followed later by serial periodical measurement will enable the treating doctor to predict outcome of the therapy. It also helps in early discovery of recurrences, relapses and metastases. In general, Tumour Marker levels are directly related to the tumour mass and stage of the cancer. However, it is the rate of change of Tumour Marker level which is more important, rather than its absolute value. A 50% change can be considered clinically significant. As with other Tumour Marker. CA 15.3 should not be used alone, but in conjuction with other clinical criteria, combined use of CA 15.3 and CEA increases sensitivity, specificity, and predictability of Tumour Markers in BREAST CANCER. It must be emphasised that CA 15.3 may also be elevated in cancers of the OVARY, COLON, STOMACH and the PANCREAS. Therefore, this parameter should not be used as a screening test for diagnosing Breast Cancer, but only as a aid in follow-up studies. Unlike other Tumour Markers, however, CA 15.3 may be used for early identification in high risk groups. |
Why is the Test Done?
CA 15-3 is a breast cancer marker. Its used is to monitor a person's response to breast cancer treatment and to help watch for breast cancer recurrence. CA 15-3 is sometimes ordered to give a doctor a general sense of how much cancer may be present (the tumor burden). CA 15-3 can only be used as a marker if the cancer is producing elevated amounts of it, so this test will not be useful for all people with breast cancer. In general, the higher the CA 15-3 level, the more advanced the breast cancer and the larger the tumor burden. CA 15-3 concentrations tend to increase as the cancer grows. In metastatic breast cancer, the highest levels of CA 15-3 often are seen when the cancer has spread to the bones and/or the liver. Increasing concentrations of CA 15-3 over time may indicate that a person is not responding to treatment or that the cancer is recurring. Normal CA 15-3 levels do not ensure that a person does not have localized or metastatic breast cancer. It may be too soon in the disease for elevated levels of CA 15-3 to be detected or the person may be one of the 20% to 25% of individuals with advanced breast cancer whose tumors do not shed CA 15-3. Mild to moderate elevations of CA 15-3 are seen in a variety of conditions, including cancer of the lung, pancreas, ovary,prostate, and colon as well as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and benign breast disorders and in a certain percentage of apparently healthy individuals. The CA 15-3 elevations seen in non-cancerous conditions tend to be stable over time. Levels of CA 15-3 are not usually measured immediately after breast cancer treatment begins. There have been instances of transient increases and decreases in CA 15-3 that do not correlate with the person's progress. Usually, the doctor will wait a few weeks after starting treatment to begin monitoring CA 15-3 levels.
How to prepare for the Test:
