Specimen

Serum

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Light Green top tube (Lithium Heparin), Green top tube (Na Heparin), 
Lavender top tube (EDTA)

Minimum:

Adult recommended volume: 1.0 mL serum
Adult absolute minimum: 0.5 mL serum
Pediatric absolute minimum: 0.2 mL serum

Analytic Time:

4 days

Reference Range:

0 - 31 U/mL

Test
Limitations:

The Roche Modular E170 CA 15-3 electrochemiluminescent immunoassay is 
used.  Results obtained with different methods or kits cannot be used 
interchangeably.  The CA 15-3 assay is used to aid in the management of 
Stage II and III breast cancer patients.  Serial testing for patient CA 
15-3 assay values should be used in conjunction with other clinical 
methods for monitoring breast cancer.  Patients with confirmed breast 
carcinoma frequently have CA 15-3 assay values in the same range as 
healthy individuals.  Elevations may be observed in patients with 
nonmalignant disease.  For these reasons a CA 15-3 assay value, 
regardless of level, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of 
the presence or absence of malignant disease.

Methodology:

Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay

CPT Code:

86300