THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CA-15-3 BREAST-TUMOR MARKER AS AN ADDITIONAL TOOL FOR DETECTION OF BREAST-CANCER

CA 15-3 (cancer antigen 15-3) is a circulating antigen associated with human mammary tumors. The potential clinical uses of CA 15-3 are: mon itoring treatment of breast cancer patients; prediction of relapse in patients with no evidence of the disease; prognosis of response to the rapy; early detection of recurrences 4-12 months prior to occurrence o f symptoms and signs of metastatic breast disease; and, as an addition al tool for early detection of breast cancer. Three representative pat ients are reported in whom CA 15-3 served as an additional tool in ear ly detection of the disease, after physical examination and first mamm ography were negative.