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Test Code C153 CA 15-3

Important Note

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Serum/Red Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

CA 15-3

All

All

<30 U/mL

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

86300

LOINC Codes

6875-9

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

48 hours

Refrigerated

5 days

Frozen

90 days

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Cancer Antigen 15-3

Clinical Indications

Immunological in vitro assay for quantitative determination of CA 15-3 in human serum and plasma to aid in the management of breast cancer patients. In conjunction with other clinical and diagnostic procedures, serial testing with the Elecsys CA 15-3 II assay is an aid:
• in the early detection of recurrence in previously treated  stage II and III breast cancer patients.
• for monitoring response to therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • The measured tumor marker value of a patient's sample can vary depending on the testing procedure and method used. Tumor marker values determined on patient samples by different testing procedures or methodologies cannot be directly compared with one another and could be the cause of erroneous medical interpretations.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not available as STAT test

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Cancer Antigen 15-3, Mucin-Like Carcinoma-Associated Antigen

Last Review Date

8/19/2024

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