Tumor Markers:- Part 9 – CA 15-3 , CA 27-29 (Cancer Antigen 15-3 and 27-29)
Tumor Markers
CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 are the tumor markers for breast cancer.
Sample for Tumor Markers
- Venous blood is needed to prepare the serum.
- Citrated plasma can be used.
- < 5 days can be stored at 2 to 8 °C.
- If it takes more than 5 days, then store at -20 °C.
Purpose of the test (Indication) for Tumor Markers
- These tumor markers are used to monitor the treatment of breast cancer.
Pathophysiology of Tumor Markers
- This is also known as the cancer antigen breast.
- This is a glycoprotein, 400 KD, and is a membrane-enriched breast cancer extract.
- CA 27-29 is a high molecular weight glycoprotein.
- CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 are the markers for breast cancer.
- These are not as sensitive as other breast tumor markers.
- The raised level of CA 15-3 indicates advanced breast cancer or bulky tumor.
- Only 50% of the patients show a highly localized breast cancer or a small tumor.
- But 80% of the patient with metastatic cancer shows a high level of CA 15-3, and 65% has CA 27-29.
- Other causes of the raised level of CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 are:
- Benign breast diseases.
- Cancers of the lung, pancreas, ovary, and prostate.
- These markers are good markers for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
- Remission will show a decreasing level.
- Persistently raised levels indicate progressive disease.
- CA 15-3 was the first tumor marker of breast cancer.
- These are not used for the screening of breast cancer.
- Most useful following the therapy response in metastatic breast cancers.
Tumor markers: CA 15-3 use
Normal Tumor Markers
- CA 15-3 = <31 U/mL or <31 k units /L.
- CA 27-29 = <38 U/mL or <38 k units /L.
- In healthy subjects, the upper limit is 25 kU/L.
- 5.5% of the normal subjects.
- 23% of the primary breast disease.
- 69% with metastasis to the liver.
- In healthy subjects, the upper limit is 25 kU/L.
- Source 2
- CA 15-3 = <22 units/mL (<22 kU/L).
- CA 27-29 = <38 units/mL (<38 kU/L).
The raised level of tumor markers is seen in the following:
- Metastatic breast cancer.
- CA- 15-3 is raised in other malignancies like:
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Colorectal carcinoma.
- Liver.
- The raised level also was seen in benign diseases like;
- liver diseases.
- Benign breast diseases.
- CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 need not be done simultaneously. CA 15-3 is enough to perform. Both have the same purpose.
- Other benign and malignant conditions are:
- Lung cancer.
- Cirrhosis.
- Hepatitis.
- Fibrocystic diseases of the breast.
- Diseases of the prostate, pancreas, and colon.
Questions and answers:
Question 1: What is the significance of CA 15-3?
Question 2: Is there any benign condition where CA 15-3 is raised?
Breast cyst laboratory test with CA 15-3 and the result was 4.8 U/ml with normal 35.0, please advice if this laboratory test result is positive or negative cancerous? thank you.
This test is negative. CA 15-3 is used to monitor the therapy. If you have a lump in the breast, please do FNA or biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Lab test result showing CA 15-3 and result was 7.90. please is it within normal range? Help explain better please.
Lab test result showing CA 15-3 and result was 15.2, please what does it mean?
CA 15-3 result value 15.2 U/mL is negative. Normal value is <31 U/mL.
Please see this link, normal values are given.
https://labpedia.net/tumor-marker-part-9-ca-15-3-ca-27-29-cancer-antigen/
Hello Dr. Riaz,
Thank you for this thorough explanation. I’m a family nurse practitioner with about 6 years of experience. Unfortunately, I’ve been unwell for nearly 3 years. Various tests have revealed some abnormalities but I’ve yet to find the “smoking gun” so to speak. My quality of life has dramatically changed and I fear that, without a diagnosis and treatment soon, I don’t know if my body can handle much more. That being said, I’ve done a bit of amateur research myself and decided to run a few labs as a sort of “shot in the dark”. In doing so, I discovered my CA 15-3 level to be 32.7. Very high according to most journal citations. I immediately reached out to a breast doctor to ask for a mammogram but I was very surprised by his response to my request which was…. Angry and demeaning, to say the very least. I left feeling very vulnerable and hopeless. On doing a thorough breast exam on myself I discovered that my right breast is tender toward the armpit region, expresses a small amount of colostrum (my last baby is 4 years old and was not breastfed) and the areola seems to be shaped differently. In fact, the right breast seems almost swollen but not significantly. I don’t know what to do. I’m embarrassed and scared and feel very alone. Should I try to find another doctor to ask for a mammogram? I don’t really understand the reason why this last doctor said no other than being mean. Im only 37 but I do have a family history….
Am I really being that unreasonable?
Thank you for your thoughts!
V/R,
April
I think you can find an abnormality in the self-examination of the breast. You must consult a surgeon, and he can decide about a mammogram. Another simple test is ESR; if it is raised, you definitely have some disease in your body. Again ideally, consult a surgeon, and he can diagnose any lump or abnormality in the breast.
Lab test result of CA 15-3 was 30.1, please what does it mean?
It is the upper normal limit. Please repeat after one month. Do you have any symptoms? I hope the abdomen ultrasound was done.
Lab test result of CA 15-3 was 27,0 please what does it
Please, you have not given the History. The normal range is <31.0 U/mL.
CA 15 3 REACHING 40000U/L . CAN IT REACH THAT LEVEL
CA-53-3 in case malignancy can go high, depending on the tumor mass. Its value is a response to the treatment.
Hi my CA 15-3 cane back scoring 8
Your CA 15-3 is in the normal range. This shows the response of the treatment.
Your CA 15-3 is in the normal range. This shows the response to the treatment.
Your CA 15-3 is in the normal range (U/mL). This shows the response to the treatment.
In case of CA 15-3 goes down or return to normal, showing the effectiveness of the treatment.