Ca 15-3 is a protein made by particularly breast cancer cells. It is a tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body. Ca 15-3 levels are higher in the blood of women with breast cancer. Although it is a tumor marker, it cannot be recognized as a screening test because it is nonspesific. It may also rise in healthy people due to benign condutions like liver diseases and hepatitis. It is a tumor marker interpreted for breast tumors but it can also rise in other cancers such as colon, lung, pancreas, ovarian or prostate malignancies.
Interpretation: In general, the higher the levels in blood, the more cancer there is in the body. If breast cancer has spread to the bones, the liver Ca 15-3 levels are higher. If the levels are lower after the treatment, this means that the therapy is successful. In benign condutions, it may also drop to normal levels after the therapy. Low levels are noninterpretable
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: The same day at 6:00 PM
