Ihc-Customised Single Marker

IHC – Customised Single Marker

What it is

The IHC (Immunohistochemistry) – Customised Single Marker test involves the use of a specific antibody stain applied to a tissue sample (biopsy or surgical specimen) to detect a particular protein marker. Immunohistochemistry combines histopathology with immunology to help visualize the distribution and localization of proteins within cells and tissues. A “single marker” approach means only one antibody is used, customized according to the clinical requirement or suspected diagnosis.

Uses

This test is used to:

• Identify specific cell types or proteins in tissue samples.
• Confirm diagnosis of cancers (e.g., breast, lung, prostate, lymphoma) by detecting tumor markers.
• Differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
• Assist in subclassifying tumors for accurate treatment planning.
• Detect infectious agents or abnormal protein deposits in tissue.

Symptoms / Conditions That May Lead to the Test

Doctors may recommend this test if you have:

• A biopsy sample suspicious for cancer or other abnormal tissue growth.
• Unclear histopathology findings needing additional marker confirmation.
• Tumor tissue that requires characterization (e.g., ER/PR/Her2 in breast cancer, CD markers in lymphoma).
• Suspected infections or autoimmune conditions requiring specific antigen detection.

Abnormal Results

• Positive Marker Expression: Confirms the presence of the targeted protein, supporting specific tumor diagnosis, subtype classification, or infection identification.
• Negative Marker Expression: Indicates absence of the targeted protein, helping rule out certain conditions or redirect diagnosis.

The choice of marker depends on the suspected condition. Interpretation is done by a pathologist in correlation with histopathology and clinical findings.

Risks

The risks are related to the biopsy or surgical tissue collection, not the IHC test itself. These may include:

• Mild pain, bleeding, or infection at the biopsy site.
• Scar formation depending on biopsy size and site.