Mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) is a so-called tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances produced naturally in the body 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 | < 13 U/ml |
Indications
- Suspected mammary carcinoma (breast cancer).
- Progress and therapy control of breast carcinoma.
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Breast carcinoma (sensitivity (percentage of diseased patients in whom the disease is detected by use of the test, i.e., a positive test result occurs) approximately 80%)
- Cervical carcinoma (cervical cancer).
- Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct carcinoma).
- Endometrial carcinoma (cancer of the uterus)
- Fibroadenoma of the mamma (breast) – benign tumor of the breast.
- Colon carcinoma (colon cancer)
- Ovarian carcinoma (ovarian cancer)
- Pancreatic carcinoma (pancreatic cancer)
- Prostate carcinoma (prostate cancer)
- Pregnancy
Interpretation of lowered values
- No diagnostic significance
Note
- If breast carcinoma is suspected, the tumor markers CEA and CA 15-3 should be determined; MCA determination provides no advantage over CA15-3!
