CA 15-3

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CA 15-3 is a tumor marker primarily used in the monitoring of breast cancer. It is a protein that is shed by the tumor cells into the bloodstream and can be measured through a blood test. The full name of CA 15-3 is Cancer Antigen 15-3.

Function[edit | edit source]

CA 15-3 is a mucin-like glycoprotein encoded by the MUC1 gene. It is part of a larger family of cancer antigens that are used to monitor the progression of certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Elevated levels of CA 15-3 can indicate the presence of metastatic breast cancer, although it is not specific enough to be used as a diagnostic tool on its own.

Clinical Use[edit | edit source]

CA 15-3 is primarily used in the following clinical scenarios:

Interpretation of Results[edit | edit source]

The normal range for CA 15-3 levels in the blood is typically less than 30 U/mL. Elevated levels can be seen in:

It is important to note that elevated CA 15-3 levels are not specific to cancer and can be seen in non-cancerous conditions as well.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While CA 15-3 is a useful marker for monitoring breast cancer, it has several limitations:

  • It is not specific to breast cancer and can be elevated in other conditions.
  • Not all patients with breast cancer will have elevated CA 15-3 levels.
  • It is not useful as a screening tool for early detection of breast cancer.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]


Resources[edit source]

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on CA 15-3 for any updates.


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD