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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CA 15-3

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1931    Geisinger Epic ID:  47147

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type:  Serum
Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tube
Specimen required: 
1 mL serum; minimum 0.5 mL

SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 
Allow to clot. Centrifuge and aliquot.
Transport temperature: 
Room temperature.
Specimen stability: 
Room temperature: 7 days. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 28 days.
Rejection criteria: 
Gross hemolysis. Gross lipemia.

TEST DETAILS
Additional information: 
This test is performed using the Siemens (Bayer) Chemiluminescent method. Values obtained from different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably. CA 15-3 levels, regardless of value, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of disease.
CPT code(s):  86300
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Methodology: 
Immunoassay
Synonyms: 
Quest test code 5819, Cancer marker 15-3, CM153
Clinical significance: 
CA 15-3 may be useful for monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer and certain ovarian cancers. The CA 15-3 values from sequential samples have a high correlation with the clinical course in most patients with metastatic breast cancer

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