Skip to content
Testmottagningen logo
en
sv
Testmottagningen logo
15-3

Cancer antigen 15-3

CA 15-3

CA 15-3 is a tumor marker often used to monitor breast cancer. Elevated levels can indicate the progression of the disease, but also occur in other forms of cancer or benign conditions. The analysis is an important tool, but should always be interpreted in combination with other clinical findings.

Contents

Analysis of CA 15-3

CA 15-3 is a tumor marker that can be elevated in breast cancer and is used to help monitor the disease. In people with disseminated breast cancer, between 75 and 90 percent of patients show elevated levels of CA 15-3. By analyzing CA 15-3 levels, doctors can gain valuable information about disease progression and treatment effectiveness, making it an important component of breast cancer management.

Cancer forms where CA 15-3 can occur in elevated concentrations:

  • Breast cancer (up to 70% of cases)
  • Liver cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Ovarian cancer

Benign conditions where the CA 15-3 concentration may be elevated:

  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Chronic pneumonia
  • Fibroadenoma (benign breast cyst)

Blood samples that demonstrate elevated test results regarding the CA 15-3 level must always be interpreted in combination with other clinical findings and diagnostic examinations. Measuring CA 15-3 in the blood can provide valuable information to follow the course of the disease and treatment, but it is not enough to make a diagnosis on its own.

  • Identify cancer risk: If a patient shows symptoms such as breast changes, weight loss, or lumps in the breast, a CA 15-3 test can help determine if further investigations are needed.
  • Follow the effect of treatment: During and after treatment for breast cancer, CA 15-3 levels are measured regularly to see how well the treatment is working. A decrease in CA 15-3 levels often indicates that the treatment is effective.
  • Detect recurrence early: If CA 15-3 levels start to rise again after stopping treatment, it may be an early sign that the cancer has returned.

Interpretation of test answers S-CA 15-3

Elevated levels of CA 15-3 (sample response above 30 U/mL) can be observed in several malignant conditions such as breast cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer. It is also important to note that a slight increase in CA 15-3 can occur in benign conditions such as liver cirrhosis and inflammatory diseases.

Reference interval for CA 15-3

  • Lower than 30 U/mL

This means that CA 15-3 values ​​below 30 U/mL are considered to be within the normal range. Values ​​above this may indicate the need for further investigation, but must always be interpreted in connection with clinical findings and possible symptoms.