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The tumor marker CA 15-3

One of the Central problems of Oncology breast cancer. Over the last two decades the incidence rate was above 25%. Since this is a disease in Oncology women's issues on the 2nd place among causes of death, important to early diagnosis. One means of identifying breast cancer tumor marker CA 15-3.

CA 15-3 is an antigen arising from cells of the breast. Its specificity in relation to carcinoma of the breast reaches 95%, that is, with high probability, this antigen helps diagnose the presence of a malignant tumor. In the analysis for tumor markers CA 15-3 norm for women is from 0 to 26.9 U/ml. exceeding the level observed in the formation of breast tumors. Elevated levels of CA 15-3 are found in benign tumors, but in this case it will be negligible. Carcinoma of the breast causes an exceedance of the critical indicators.

When prescribed analysis?

This analysis is prescribed in cases when you need diagnosis of breast cancer. It can be primary, when there are signs of distress or the woman is at risk. In addition, such analysis is performed when the tumor has already identified and need to track its dynamics or to identify the presence of metastases. Analysis of tumor marker CA 15-3 breast cancer helps you understand how effective ongoing therapy.

Indications for use:

  • Diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast,
  • Monitoring of the tumor
  • Identifying recurrences and metastases,
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment.

What are the results?

That shows the tumor marker CA 15-3? His figures indicate that the availability and condition of the tumor, its spread and involvement of lymph nodes. The level of this tumor marker can be elevated in various forms of cancer:

  • Carcinoma of the breast,
  • Stomach cancer,
  • Cancer of the pancreas,
  • Malignant tumor of the liver,
  • Late stage ovarian cancer, uterus.

onkomarker ca 15-3It's also possible that the tumor marker CA 15-3 is elevated in benign breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, and also found a physiological increase in the level of this antigen during pregnancy, 50 U/ml in the third trimester.

Although it is possible to exceed the norms of CA 15-3 in various diseases and conditions, its main use is to diagnose breast carcinoma, therefore, this analysis is widely used in mammology.

The transcript of the tumor marker CA 15-3 is done by a specialist, taking into account different factors and conditions. So, at initial diagnosis of breast cancer, its sensitivity is only 30%. Most informative this analysis is to track the dynamics of the disease and success of treatment. If the concentration of marker in blood serum increased by 25%, these indicators are considered to be a symptom of progressive disease. His steady decline is evidence of the effectiveness of treatment. However, when monitoring treatment outcomes is important, not a single rate, and the dynamics. Immediately after chemotherapy or radiosurgery is often increased CA 15-3, which is associated with destruction of the tumor. This increase is temporary, and soon with effective treatment rates declined.

Unit identification enhancement marker CA 15-3 is not always an alarming sign, but stable increase is likely to speak about trouble. However, to rely only on this indicator in the diagnosis you should use other methods.

For effective detection of the presence of metastases using a set of tests for markers CA 15-3, CEA. If both are elevated, it is with a probability of 60-80% indicates the formation of metastases. At the same time, increaseindicators of the marker can be ahead of the onset of symptoms for several months.

How to pass the test?

Analysis of tumor marker CA 15-3 is held in medical laboratories. To do this, blood from the vein. Doing analysis will usually need the day. In monitoring and tracking the treatment results of such analyses need to be repeated every 3-4 months.