Update on Immunohistochemistry

The introduction and application of Immunohistochemistry (IHC) over the past seventy years as a prognostic and predictive marker, remains one of the extraordinary tools in histopathology laboratory armamentarium thereby contributing positively to cancer patient diagnosis and management. Many antibodies are now available to identify epitopes that survive the rigors of formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE). Peter (2013) stated that in cases where morphological and clinical data alone do not allow a firm diagnosis then IHC is invaluable. Also in tracking the origin of neoplastic tissues, thereby helping to investigate the earliest tissue transformation which is not normally visible with Haematoxylin and Eosin stained slides. Tumour antigens are expressed de novo and/or up –regulated in certain cancer cells which reacts with its corresponding antibodies in tissue The aim of this module is to encourage more Histopathology laboratories and by extension Histo-scientists render this service to their patients to match with growing incidence of Breast, Cervical, Prostate and lymphoid malignancies in our society.