CA 15-3 measurement

This test measures the presence and amount of cancer antigen 15-3. This test is uses a tumor marker to help monitor patients with breast cancer. A sample of blood, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial (around the heart) fluid, or other body fluid may be collected for this test.

Laboratory tests may be done for many reasons. Tests are performed for routine health screenings or if a disease or toxicity is suspected. Lab tests may be used to determine if a medical condition is improving or worsening. Lab tests may also be used to measure the success or failure of a medication or treatment plan. Lab tests may be ordered for professional or legal reasons. You may need this test if you have:

• Breast cancer

Blood:

Before having blood collected, tell the person drawing your blood if you are allergic to latex. Tell the healthcare worker if you have a medical condition or are using a medication or supplement that causes excessive bleeding. Also tell the healthcare worker if you have felt nauseated, lightheaded, or have fainted while having blood drawn in the past.

Pleural fluid:

A thoracentesis is a procedure that requires written consent. Review the consent form with the healthcare worker and ask any questions that you have before signing the consent form. Tell the healthcare worker if you have a medical condition or are using a medication or supplement that causes excessive bleeding. You should also report if you have a history of allergic or other reactions to local anesthetics. You may need to have blood tests and a chest x-ray performed before the thoracentesis.

Peritoneal fluid:

A paracentesis is a procedure that requires written consent. Review the consent form with the healthcare worker and ask any questions that you have before signing the consent form.

Tell the healthcare worker if you have a medical condition or are using a medication or supplement that causes excessive bleeding. You should also report if you have a history of allergic or other reactions to local anesthetics. You may be asked to empty your bladder before the procedure. Your vital signs, weight, and waist measurement will be recorded before and after a paracentesis.

Other body fluid:

A different sample other than the samples listed above may be used for this test. Ask your healthcare worker for information about how to prepare for this test. If you have questions or concerns about the preparation for this test, talk to the healthcare worker.

A sample of blood, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, or other body fluid may be collected for this test.

Blood:

When a blood sample from a vein is needed, a vein in your arm is usually selected. A tourniquet (large rubber strap) may be secured above the vein. The skin over the vein will be cleaned, and a needle will be inserted. You will be asked to hold very still while your blood is collected. Blood will be collected into one or more tubes, and the tourniquet will be removed. When enough blood has been collected, the healthcare worker will take the needle out.

Pleural fluid:

Pleural fluid is the fluid in between the membrane linings of your lungs. A procedure called a thoracentesis is done to get a pleural fluid sample for testing. A healthcare worker will first need to locate the fluid that needs to be sampled. This is done by a chest x-ray, ultrasound, or by percussion (rhythmically pounding the chest wall). Once the fluid is located, a healthcare worker may hold up the arm on the same side where the procedure will be done. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic, and a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area. A needle will be inserted into the fluid pocket. Fluid samples are then drawn out using a needle attached to a syringe. When a large enough sample is collected, the needle will be removed. A thoracentesis may be done with or without the assistance of ultrasound or CT scan.

Peritoneal fluid:

Peritoneal fluid is the fluid in the space between the membrane linings of the abdomen wall and organs in the abdominal cavity. A paracentesis is a procedure that may be used to obtain a sample of peritoneal fluid. For this procedure, your skin will be shaved and cleaned, and a sterile area will be prepared. A local anesthetic will be used to numb the procedure area. A needle will be inserted through the abdominal wall into a fluid pocket. Sometimes a small incision is made to help insert the needle.

If fluid removal is difficult, you may need to change positions during the procedure to drain different pockets of fluid. After enough fluid has drained, the needle will be removed.

Other body fluid:

A different sample other than the samples listed above may be used for this test. Methods used to collect other body fluids or tissue samples may vary. Ask the healthcare worker to explain how this sample may be collected. If you have questions or concerns about this test, talk to the healthcare worker.

The amount of discomfort you feel will depend on many factors, including your sensitivity to pain. Communicate how you are feeling with the person doing the test. Inform the person doing the test if you feel that you cannot continue with the test.

Blood:

During a blood draw, you may feel mild discomfort at the location where the blood sample is being collected.

Pleural fluid:

Before a thoracentesis, a local anesthetic is given to the procedure site to numb the area. You may feel mild discomfort or stinging when the numbing medicine is injected. You may still be able to feel pressure or discomfort during the procedure. Your procedure site may be sore for several days.

Peritoneal fluid:

For a paracentesis, a local anesthetic is given to numb the procedure area and decrease pain. When the numbing medicine is injected, you may feel mild discomfort or stinging. Brief pain may be felt as the needle passes through the abdominal wall. If you have a large build-up of extra peritoneal fluid, this procedure may decrease or relieve abdominal discomfort or difficulty breathing. If a large quantity of fluid is removed you may feel dizzy or light-headed. Tell the person doing the test if you feel dizzy or light-headed. The procedure site may be sore for several days.

Other body fluid:

A different sample other than the samples listed above may be used for this test. This test may feel different depending on many factors, including the sample needed and how it is collected. Ask the healthcare worker what to expect during this test.

Blood:

After a blood sample is collected from your vein, a bandage, cotton ball, or gauze may be placed on the area where the needle was inserted. You may be asked to apply pressure to the area. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after your blood draw. Contact your healthcare worker if you feel pain or see redness, swelling, or discharge from the puncture site.

Pleural fluid:

After a thoracentesis, a bandage will be secured over your procedure site and pressure held until the bleeding or fluid leakage stops. You may receive a chest x-ray to check for complications. The chest x-ray may be repeated to look for the return of fluid in the lung. Follow your healthcare worker’s instructions for changing your bandage and other wound care. Tell your healthcare worker immediately if you have a new onset of difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, fever, or dizziness. Also immediately tell your healthcare worker if you have increased bleeding or drainage from the procedure site.

Peritoneal fluid:

After paracentesis is used to collect a sample of peritoneal fluid, pressure may be applied and a bandage will be secured over the puncture site. Your puncture site bandage and vital signs will be monitored frequently for a period of time after this procedure. Tell your healthcare worker immediately should you feel dizziness or weakness shortly after the procedure.

You will be given instructions for how to care for your bandage, and signs and symptoms of infection to watch for. Contact your healthcare worker if you develop a fever or increased pain, and if you see continued drainage, increasing redness, swelling, or pus formation at the procedure site.

After a paracentesis, healthcare workers may need to check your urine for any blood, as this may be a sign of bladder injury. Watch for any blood in your urine for at least 24 hours after the procedure. If you see blood in your urine, contact your healthcare worker immediately.

Other body fluid:

A different sample other than the samples listed above may be used for this test. Instructions for what to do after a collection of other body fluid or tissue samples may vary. Ask the healthcare worker to instruct you on what to expect after this test is completed. If you have questions or concerns about what to expect after the test is completed, talk to the healthcare worker.

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.