INCREASE in CA 15-3

Karen,

There are lots of reasons why it may be elevated that aren't cancer related.  It didn't jump that much so maybe watch it and see if it goes down?  I know how these tests can bring our anxiety levels up!

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/tumormarkers/tumor-markers-specific-markers

CA 15-3

CA 15-3 is mainly used to watch patients with breast cancer. Elevated blood levels are found in less than 10% of patients with early disease and in about 70% of patients with advanced disease. Levels usually drop if treatment is working, but they may go up in the first few weeks after treatment is started. (This rise is caused when dying cancer cells spill their contents into the bloodstream.)

The normal level is usually less than 30 U/mL (units/milliliter), depending on the lab. But levels as high as 100 U/mL can be seen in women who do not have cancer. Levels of this marker can also be higher in other cancers, like lung, colon, pancreas, and ovarian, and in some non-cancerous conditions, like benign breast conditions, ovarian disease, endometriosis, and hepatitis.