Normal and Abnormal Values of CA 15-3: Breast Cancer Markers

The article was consulted professionally by Dr. Phung Thi Phuong Chi – Oncologist – Oncology Center – Share99 Central Park International Health Hub.

Ca 15-3 antigen is a protein produced by normal mammary gland cells. CA 15-3 antigen is often over-produced in breast cancer cells. Therefore, a high CA 15-3 index is often used to monitor the therapeutic response and recurrence of breast cancer.

1. What is the normal index of CA 15-3?

A normal CA 15-3 in healthy women is ≤ 30 U/mL. The normal value of CA 15-3 may vary slightly depending on the dosing method, analyzeer system and usage terms of each laboratory.

2. CA 15-3 test warns breast cancer risk

Typically, the higher the CA 15-3 than usual, the greater the risk of breast cancer. CA 15-3 levels tend to increase as the cancer progresses. In meta meta meta meta meta meta meta tumor cancer, CA concentrations of 15-3 usually peak when the cancer metalyses bones and/or liver. In addition, an increase in the concentration of cancer indicators over time may suggest that patients do not respond to cancer treatment or cancer recurrence.

Case Test 15-3

Typically, the higher the CA 15-3 than usual, the greater the risk of breast cancer

Cons, normal breast cancer index concentrations do not guarantee that the person tested does not have breast cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of CA 15-3 is not strong enough to be used as a marker for breast cancer screening. It is possible that the cancer at an early stage has not been detected and about 20-25% of people have advanced breast cancer but there is no increase in CA levels by 15-3. Therefore, CA 15-3 levels are usually not immediately tested after the start of breast cancer treatment.

There have been cases of a transient increase and decrease in CA 15-3 concentrations unin connection with the patient's disease progress. Usually, the doctor will wait about a few weeks after starting treatment to conduct a monitoring of CA 15-3 levels.

3. High CA 15-3 index unlikely to have breast cancer

The increased CA 15-3 test can leave many women bewildered, claiming that they have breast cancer. However, in practice, this index can also increase in other benign conditions without breast cancer.

Mild to medium-to-medium ca 15-3 levels may occur inmany cases, including: lung cancer, pancreatic cancer,ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis, benign mammary gland diseases and may also occur in a certain proportion of normal people. Increased cancer indicators in non-cancerous disorders tend to stabilize over time.

Therefore, the CA 15-3 test does not have enough basis to confirm breast cancer or not. For accurate identification, patients need to perform more intensive tests under the doctor's in command. Currently, there are a number of screening methods to help detect breast cancer effectively such as breast ultrasound,mammograms … Doctors recommend that women screen for breast cancer periodically, especially women over the age of 40 who help detect the disease early and treat it effectively.

4. Correlation between CA 15-3 and breast cancer

LEVELS of CA 15-3 usually increase as breast cancer tumors grow in large sizes. Only less than 50% of early-stage, small tumor-sized breast cancers have a 15-3 increase in CA, while CA 15-3 has high sensitivity and specificity when breast cancer meta metaarates or recurs with 80% of cases of meta metaatic breast cancer with a 15-3 increase in CA, the highest level usually seen when breast cancer meta metaarates to the bone and/or liver. Some studies show that CA levels of 15-3 may increase in larger tumors and at a higher stage of cancer. The sensitivity in the diagnosis of breast cancer of the CA 15-3 index depends on the selected CA 15-3 threshold:

  • At the threshold of 28 U/mL, the diagnostic sensitivity of breast cancer is 19% – 22% before surgery;
  • At the threshold of 25 U/mL, the diagnostic sensitivity of breast cancer without lymph nodes is 16%, there is already a ganglion of 54%;
  • At thresholds of 25, 28 and 50 U/mL, the sensitivity to diagnose metalantic breast cancer is between 54 and 91%;
  • At the > of 40 U/mL, 100% of breast cancers are at an advanced stage and require hospitalization for treatment.

5. CA 15-3 increases in other cancers

Case Test 15-3

Plasma CA 15-3 levels may also increase in some other cancers

The level of CA 15-3 plasma may also increase in some other cancers: 39 -71% in ovarian cancer, 14-26% in endometrial cancer,9.1% in cancer of the uterus, 10-71% in gastric, pancreatic and hepatic cell meacular cancers, small cell type lung cancers and non-small cells.

6. CA 15-3 index rises in some ecological states

CA 15-3 levels may increase by >30 U/mL in 8% of pregnant women and > 25 U/mL in 4-7% of breastfeeding women.

Currently, Share99 International Health Hub is implementing breast cancer screening and early detection package. The examination package helps to detect early diseases such as breast – cervical – uterus – ovarian cancer even if there are no symptoms. The contents of the Examination Package include:

  • Examination and consultation with obstetrician and gynecologist;
  • Breast cancer screening with an ultrasound of the mammary glands on both sides and an X-ray of the mammary glands;
  • Cervical cancer screening via HPV genotype PCR test automated system and ultrasound of uterus, ovaries through the vagina.

Dr. Phung Thi Phuong Chi has 20 years of professional experience at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Health Hub with strengths in surgical examination, diagnosis and treatment and chemotherapy for cancer.

Dr. Chi has participated in training courses at home and abroad and one of the first surgeons to perform gynecologic cancer laparoscopic surgery in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you have any questions about breast cancer screening, please contact Share99 HERE for assistance.

SEE MORE:

  • Breast Cancer Screening (Part I)
  • Breast Cancer Screening (Part II)
  • 3D breast ultrasound is suitable for Vietnamese breast tissue characteristics, helping to detect breast cancer

SEE MORE:

  • What does the low Pepsinogen I index warn?
  • What does the SCC mean?
  • Cancer marker test: List of tumor markers

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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