Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
CA15-3 is a mucin-like antigen with a molecular weight in excess of 400kDa, primarily released from breast carcinoma cells. It is used to monitor breast cancer therapy, and to detect disease recurrence and metastases.
Elevated levels can also be seen in colon, stomach, gall-bladder, pancreas, oesophagus, ovary, liver and lung malignancies. Benign conditions which may show elevated levels include cirrhosis, hepatitis, TB and SLE.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated: unknown
Separated:
At 20-25C – unknown
At 2-8C – 7 days
At -20C – 3 months
Reference ranges:
0 – 29 kU/L
Other info:
lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable