17, Sep 2024
Establishing an IHC Service
After a biopsy, tissue samples are sliced and then dipped in colorful dyes to make it easier for pathologists (doctors who diagnose diseases by examining a sample under a microscope) to see the cells. If the doctor suspects cancer, the tissue is also dipped in a special test called immunohistochemistry, or IHC, that looks for certain tumor markers, which are unique to each type of cancer. IHC allows the pathologist to know which specific types of cancer the patient has and to develop a treatment plan. Read more bosterbio.com
To establish a functioning IHC service, the AMPATH team repurposed space in the hospital’s histology laboratory and acquired equipment through a combination of repurposing of existing facilities and new purchases from the local company representative that services IHC equipment and provides reagents (DAKO, Nairobi, Kenya). They also developed new standard operating procedures to ensure specimens are immediately placed in formalin, and that schedules are designed for quick transport and gross analysis in the MTRH lab.
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To analyze the tissue, a pathologist will use antibodies, which are similar to cellular locks, to locate and bind with corresponding antigens in the cell, triggering the release of a colored dye that helps the pathologist identify specific cell types. With IHC, the pathologist can see what kind of cancer a patient has and how bad it is. The information gained from IHC results is invaluable in designing and implementing appropriate therapies for cancer patients. It is more revealing than standard biopsy tests, which can only provide broad categories of diagnosis.
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- By saipanstewart



