What is MCA?
MCA is the abbreviation for “mucin-like cancer-associated antigen”. It is an antigen found on the MUC-1 glycoprotein (carbohydrate-protein compound). Located in the cell membrane, the MUC-1 glycoprotein helps cancer cells evade immune responses and reduces contact with neighboring healthy cells.
However, not all cancer cells produce this particular protein. When they do, its antigens such as MCA are detectable in the blood. One can then use these as tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances that are increasingly detectable in the body in some types of cancer. They help to assess the course of the disease. However, altered measured values are also found in some benign diseases.
When is MCA determined?
What are the MCA standard values?
The reference range for MCA is method dependent. The recommended range in adults in blood serum is up to 15 U/ml.
What do low MCA values mean?
Low MCA levels have no medical significance. They do not rule out disease.
In what cases is MCA elevated?
High MCA levels indicate that large amounts of the MUC-1 glycoprotein are present in the body. This may be the case in breast cancer. However, as a relatively non-specific value, MCA can also be elevated in many other diseases.
Thus, common causes of elevated MCA levels include:
- benign diseases of the liver, for example acute liver inflammation (hepatitis) or liver cirrhosis (liver shrinkage)
- benign diseases of the breast, for example fibroadenoma (benign lumps of the breast)
