CA 15-3 (synonym: cancer antigen 15-3) is a so-called tumor marker.Tumor markers are endogenous substances that are produced by tumors and are detectable in the blood. They can provide an indication of a malignant (malignant) neoplasm and serve as a follow-up test in the context of cancer aftercare.
The procedure
Material needed
- Blood serum
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- None known
Normal value
| Normal value | <31 U/ml |
Indications
- Therapy and follow-up of mammary carcinoma (breast cancer).
- CA 15-3 often indicates recurrence (recurrence of a tumor) before it becomes clinically apparent
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Breast carcinoma (breast cancer; detectable in 30-90% of cases).
- Ovarian carcinoma (ovarian cancer; detectable in 40-70% of cases).
- Bronchial carcinoma (lung cancer; detectable in 10-70% of cases).
- Endometrial carcinoma (cancer of the uterus)
- Pancreatic carcinoma (pancreatic cancer; detectable in 40-60% of cases).
Slightly elevated in
- Mastopathy – benign mammary gland disease caused by changes in breast tissue.
- Fibroadenoma – benign tumor of the breast.
- HIV infection
- Hepatopathies (liver diseases) such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or cirrhosis (connective tissue remodeling of the liver with accompanying functional impairment)
- Renal insufficiency – increasing functional impairment of the kidneys.
- Pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
- Pregnancy – in the third trimester (third trimester).
- Tuberculosis (consumption)
Interpretation of lowered values
- No diagnostic significance
Further notes
- When determining tumor markers because of suspected mammary carcinoma (breast cancer), the tumor marker CEA should also be determined. This procedure improves the sensitivity of detection to over 90%.
- In benign (benign) disease, Ca 15-3 usually does not exceed 35 U/l.