CA 15.3

• <38.6 U/ml

• CA 15.3 molecule is a mucin, being a product of the MUC1 gene. CA 15.3 is a highly polymorphic glycoprotein produced by normal breast cells. In many people with cancerous breast tumor ,there is an increased production of CA 15.3. It is elevated in 80% of those with Breast cancer that has spread.

It is useful in :

• staging breast cancer: increases in 20% of patients with stage I or II disease and 70-80% of patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer
• Ascertain the progression of the disease: increase in 95% of patients with progressive disease
• To gauge the efficiency of the therapy: Decreases in 78% of patients responding to therapy
• To detect tumour recurrence before symptoms appear and to monitor response to treatment.

CA 15.3 is not recommended as a screening test to detect Breast cancer in women because it is Non specific.

• Done along with other tests when advanced breast cancer is first diagnosed to help determine cancer characteristics and treatment options.
• CA 15-3 is not done when breast cancer is detected early before it has metastasized, because levels will not be elevated in majority of early cancers.

• Pancreatic cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Benign Breast Disease
• Ovarian Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis