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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors
Published on: March 1, 2020
CA 15-3 predicting breast cancer relapse: beware of vitamin B12 deficiency
Elie El Rassy1, Maya Al Ghor1, Joseph Kattan1
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hematology-Oncology, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract:
A sustained increase of cancer antigen 15-3 serum levels was found in a 54-year-old woman treated 2 years ago for early stage breast cancer, without any evidence of cancer recurrence. The patient thereafter developed severe megaloblastic anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency. Supplementation with B12 to reverse the anemia led to the normalization of the cancer antigen 15-3 serum levels. As such, with the limited understanding of molecular biology, the integrative approach of clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging remain pivotal in the management of cancer patients.
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