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Test Code C2729 Breast Carcinoma-Associated Antigen, Serum

Method Name

Chemiluminometric Immunoassay

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Specimens that have not been aliquoted will be canceled.

2. Send refrigerated.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  90 days
  Ambient  4 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK

Clinical Information

Carcinoma of the breast is the most prevalent form of cancer in women. These tumors often produce mucinous antigens, which are large-molecular-weight glycoproteins with O-linked oligosaccharide chains.

 

Monoclonal antibodies directed against these antigens have been developed, and several immunoassays are available to quantitate the levels of tumor-associated mucinous antigens in serum. The antibodies recognize epitopes of a breast cancer-associated antigen encoded by the human mucin 1 (MUC-1) gene, which is known by several names including MAM6, milk mucin antigen, cancer antigen (CA) 27.29, and CA 15-3.

 

While CA 27.29 is expressed at the apical surface of normal epithelial cells, it is present throughout malignant epithelial cells of the breast, lung, ovary, pancreas, and other sites. The cancer-associated form of the antigen is less extensively glycosylated than the normal form and more specific for tumor cells.

Reference Values

Males

≥18 years: ≤38.0 U/mL (use not defined)

Females

≥18 years: ≤38.0 U/mL

Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 18 years of age.

Serum markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

86300

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-General Request (T239)

-Oncology Test Request (T729)