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Test Code
CA153
Test Name
CA15-3
CPT Codes
86300
Included Tests
  • Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3)
Expected Turnaround Time
1 day
Clinical Utility

Can be used for monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer and certain ovarian cancers. The Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) values from sequential samples have a high correlation with the clinical course in most patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Collection Container: Gold Top, Serum Separator

Alternate Collection Container: Red Top, Separator

Minimum Acceptable Volume: 0.6 mL
Processing and Submission Instructions

Separator tubes: Contains clot activator and gel for separating serum from cells, but not anticoagulant. Separate serum from cells as soon as the clot has formed (30 minutes). If specimen is centrifuged before clotting is complete, a fibrin clot will form on top of the cell. This may cause the gel barrier to not be intact and could cause improper separation of serum and cells, possibly affecting test results.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

8 hours

Refrigerated

48 hours

Frozen

One month

Freeze/Thaw Cycles

One freeze/thaw cycle
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Reference Intervals

HNL Lab Medicine Chemistry Reference Intervals
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Testing Schedule
Routine, daily
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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