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HelpTest Code BCA Breast Cancer Antigen 15-3
Useful For
Assay is useful for the monitoring of disease and response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, or monitoring recurrence in previously treated Stage II or Stage III breast cancer patients. The test is not sufficiently sensitive for early screening of breast cancer.
Synonyms/Keywords
Breast Ca Ag 15-3 (BCA)
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Plasma/Serum | Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST) | Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube (GTT), Serum Separator Tube (SST), Red Top Tube (RTT) | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | 0.3 mL |
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Plasma/Serum |
Ambient | 8 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 days | |
| Frozen | >2 days |
Thaw samples only once
Rejection Criteria
Gross hemolysis or Icterus
Test Information
Assay measures CA15-3 antigen. Test is useful for the monitoring of disease and response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, or monitoring recurrence in previously treated Stage II or Stage III breast cancer patients. The test is not sufficiently sensitive for early screening of breast cancer.
An alternative marker for breast cancer antigen also exists known as CA27.29. Clinically, both CA15-3 and CA27.29 give similar clinical information although differences in results will be seen with individual patients. Accordingly, the two assays should not be used interchangeably for serial monitoring in a given patient.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield | ≤ 35 U/mL |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Beckman Coulter DXI |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86300 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86300 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Breast Cancer Antigen 15-3 |