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HelpEpic Test Code LAB776 Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), Serum
Additional Codes
MML Code: CA153
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Cancer Ag 15-3, (CA 15-3), SMethod Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).
Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Blood Tube Draw Volume
Min 50% draw volume
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Reference Values
Males: <30 U/mL (use not defined)
Females: <30 U/mL
Report Available
1 to 3 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
CPT Code Information
86300
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Useful For
Managing breast cancer patients when used in conjunction with clinical information and other diagnostic procedures
Serial testing to assist in early detection of disease recurrence in previously treated stage II and III breast cancer patients
Monitoring response to therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients
This test is not useful as a cancer screening test.
Clinical Information
Carcinoma of the breast is the most prevalent form of cancer in women. These tumors often produce mucinous antigens, which are large molecular weight glycoproteins with O-linked oligosaccharide chains. Tumor-associated antigens encoded by the human MUC-1 gene are known by several names, including MAM6, milk mucin antigen, cancer antigen (CA) 27.29, and CA 15-3.
CA 15-3 assay values are not elevated in most normal individuals and are frequently elevated in sera from breast cancer patients.
Nonmammary malignancies in which elevated CA 15-3 assay values have been reported include: lung, colon, pancreas, primary liver, ovary, cervix, and endometrium.
Interpretation
Increasing and decreasing values show correlation with disease progression and regression, respectively.(1) Increasing cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) assay values in patients at risk for breast cancer recurrence after primary therapy may be indicative of recurrent disease before it can be detected clinically (2,3) and may be used as an indication that additional tests or procedures should be performed.
Cautions
Testing for cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) should be performed in conjunction with other clinical methods used for the early detection of recurrence.
In rare cases, some individuals can develop antibodies to mouse or other animal antibodies (often referred to as human anti-mouse antibodies [HAMA] or heterophile antibodies), which may cause interference in some immunoassays. The presence of antibodies to streptavidin or ruthenium can also rarely occur and may also interfere in this assay. Caution should be used in interpretation of results and the laboratory should be alerted if the result does not correlate with the clinical presentation.
Specimen Retention Time
2 weeksDisease States
- Breast cancer
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.