Final Diagnosis Panel By IHC

Function

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a sophisticated diagnostic technique that uses antibodies to detect specific antigens (proteins) in a tissue sample. By applying dye-labeled antibodies to a biopsy section, pathologists can visualize the presence, location, and quantity of specific proteins under a microscope. This is the 'gold standard' for differentiating between cell types that look identical under standard staining (H&E).

Why it is Ordered

IHC is primarily ordered when a routine biopsy indicates the presence of a tumor but cannot definitively identify the primary site of origin or the specific subtype of cancer. It is crucial for determining the prognosis and selecting targeted therapies (e.g., HER2 testing in breast cancer or PD-L1 testing for immunotherapy).

Associated Conditions

• Carcinomas of Unknown Primary (CUP): Helping find where a cancer started.
• Lymphoma Subtyping: Distinguishing between B-cell, T-cell, and Hodgkin lymphomas.
• Breast Cancer: Checking for ER (Estrogen Receptor), PR (Progesterone Receptor), and HER2 status.
• Infectious Diseases: Identifying specific viral particles (like CMV or HPV) within tissue cells.

Targeted Therapy

Modern oncology relies on IHC to determine if a patient will respond to specific 'smart drugs.' If a protein like HER2 is overexpressed, specific monoclonal antibodies can be used for treatment.