Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays make it possible to more accurately identify tumors whose cytologic and architectural characteristics are not, in themselves, sufficient to render a reliable diagnosis.
Immunohistochemistry testing aids the pathologist in establishing cellular origins to poorly differentiated tumors, classify lymphomas and leukemias, detect micrometastases in tissue, and identify and qualitatively estimate hormone receptor and prognostic marker distribution for tumor evaluation. This in turn makes it possible to more effectively predict the likely response to tumors to various possible treatments, and to thus optimally treat an affected patient.
An example would be performing immunoperoxidase stains for Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), Ki-67, and HER2-neu (c-erb B2) on a breast biopsy with carcinoma.
WPM Pathology Laboratory performs many immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays in-house, thereby reducing turn-around-time. WPM Pathologists typically order which IHC assays are necessary to make a diagnosis, so providers don’t need to worry about which IHCs to order. For more information on IHC assays, contact a WPM Pathologist.