Practical applications of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of soft tissue neoplasms

Immunohistochemistry is an extraordinarily powerful tool in the armamentarium of the diagnostic surgical pathologist. This article discusses some ways in which immunohistochemistry assists in the diagnosis of soft tissue neoplasms. Four common clinicopathologic scenarios in soft tissue pathology are presented and a practical approach to these rare neoplasms is discussed. The limitations of immunohistochemistry and possible future directions for the application of immunohistochemistry to sarcoma diagnosis are also reviewed.