Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry: peculiarities of the method and its application

Modern immunohistochemistry is one of the most accurate ways of diagnosing oncological diseases. This method allows you to examine biological tissues and detect pathological changes. Due to its availability and high informativeness, it is widely used in laboratory practice.

What is immunohistochemical analysis?

Malignant cells in the process of growth produce specific proteins - antigens, which interact with antibodies. Immunohistochemistry is based on this very mechanism: a tissue sample is treated with special reagents that cause the glow of pathological structures during microscopic examination.

This one is used to:

• Determining the type of tumour;
• assessing the spread of tumours;
• identify sources of metastases;
• establishing the stage of the oncological process;
• predicting the course of the disease.

In addition, immunohistochemistry is used in the study of the causes of infertility, pregnancy failure and pathology of the reproductive system.

How is immunohistochemical analysis performed?

For diagnosis, a small fragment of tissue is taken by biopsy. The sample is immersed in a special solution and sent to the laboratory. Then ultrathin slices are performed, which are treated with antibodies and analysed under a microscope.

Most often this is appointed in suspected oncology of the breast and uterus. The study allows you to identify cells that affect fertility, as well as to determine the reaction of the endometrium to hormonal stimulation. This helps the doctor to choose the optimal therapy regimen.

Due to its high accuracy, immunohistochemistry remains one of the key diagnostic methods, allowing timely detection of malignant changes and correction of treatment.