CA15.3

Understanding CA15.3

CA15.3 is a glycoprotein marker that is raised in breast cancer and a few cases of carcinomas of the ovary, colon, pancreas, lung, and non-malignant conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, benign breast disease, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and liver disease. It can also be increased during pregnancy. It is noteworthy that CA15.3 does not cause cancer; rather, it is released by tumor cells, making it useful as a marker to trace the course of cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers wo...

What does CA15.3 measure?

The CA15.3 test measures the glycoprotein marker Cancer Antigen 15.3 in the blood. It is primarily used as a tumor marker for breast cancer. It is an important tool to monitor patients of breast cancer, to know treatment effectiveness in patients undergoing cancer treatment, and to monitor the relapse or metastasis status (spread to other parts of the body).