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22383 Breast Cancer Antigen 15-3

Breast Cancer Antigen 15-3
Test Code: BCA
Synonyms/Keywords
Breast Ca Ag 15-3 (BCA)​
Useful For
​Assay is useful for the monitoring of disease and response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, or monitoring recurrence in previously treated Stage II or Stage III breast cancer patients. The test is not sufficiently sensitive for early screening of breast cancer.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT)​ 0.5 mL​ 0.3 mL​ 0.25 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours​
Frozen​ >48 hours​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​
Two-step Sandwich Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminometric Technology/Siemens Centaur ​
Test Information
Assay measures CA15-3 antigen. Test is useful for the monitoring of disease and response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, or monitoring recurrence in previously treated Stage II or Stage III breast cancer patients. The test is not sufficiently sensitive for early screening of breast cancer.
An alternative marker for breast cancer antigen also exists known as CA27.29. Clinically, both CA15-3 and CA27.29 give similar clinical information although differences in results will be seen with individual patients. Accordingly, the two assays should not be used interchangeably for serial monitoring in a given patient.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ <= 35 U/mL  ​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86300​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Breast Ca Ag 15-3 (BCA)​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity

​a. Breast Ca Ag 15-3 (BCA)

b. Cancer Antigen 2729

​Cerner ​CA 15-3
​COM ​BC Ag 15-3
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT)​ 0.5 mL​ 0.3 mL​ 0.25 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours​
Frozen​ >48 hours​
Useful For
​Assay is useful for the monitoring of disease and response to therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer, or monitoring recurrence in previously treated Stage II or Stage III breast cancer patients. The test is not sufficiently sensitive for early screening of breast cancer.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ <= 35 U/mL  ​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​
Two-step Sandwich Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminometric Technology/Siemens Centaur ​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86300​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.