CA 15-3
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:
- Monitoring the response to treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
- Detecting recurrence of breast cancer after treatment.
- Occasionally, it may be used in conjunction with other tests to monitor ovarian cancer and other types of cancer.
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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