Diagnostic value of CA 15-3 antibody in detecting metastatic adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic value of CA 15-3 in detecting metastatic adenocarcinoma in body fluids using PreservCyt solution (Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) as collection fluid.


METHODS
Cytospin slides prepared from 72 cases with unequivocally benign or malignant diagnosis were studied. Of the cases studied, 34 were breast carcinomas, and 17 were benign pleural effusions. Slides were stained for CA 15-3 by using the avidin-biotin complex method. Cases were evaluated for the presence of membranous or cytoplasmic staining. The percentage of cells exhibiting strong staining was estimated for both breast carcinoma and all adenocarcinomas as a group. These results were compared with CA 15-3 staining exhibited by benign mesothelium.


RESULTS
Ninety-one percent of the breast cancer cases studied showed a positive reaction with CA 15-3, while 6% of the benign mesothelium cases were positive (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of CA 15-3 was 91 % for breast carcinoma and 80% for all adenocarcinomas. Specificity was 94% for breast carcinoma and for all adenocarcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
CA 15-3 is a sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing adenocarcinoma in cytologic specimens using PreservCyt solution as collection fluid.
Huang
Yajue
Y
Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Zimmerman
Robert L
RL
Bibbo
Marluce
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000166:cytology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D018396:Mucin-1