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Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Author Spotlight: Unlocking Insights into the Immune Cell Landscape of Tumors
Published on: August 18, 2023
When Is Immunohistochemistry Useful in Assessing Tumor Necrotic Tissue?
Elzbieta Bogajewska-Rylko1, Navid Ahmadi1, Marta Pyrek1
1Chair and Department of Oncologic Pathology and Prophylactics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań University of Medical Sciences and Department of Oncologic Pathology, Poznan, Poland.
Background/Aim:
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) enables visualisation of the distribution of specific proteins, the differentiation of benign and malignant tumours, and the site and origin of a primary tumour. Surgical pathologists commonly examine tumours with extensive necrosis or non-viable tissue that may affect an accurate diagnosis.
Materials And Methods:
We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of IHC on necrotic samples derived from adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma using different markers.
Results:
Analysis of necrosis within tumours revealed 88% sensitivity and 56% specificity for melanoma, 95% and 92% for CK5/6, 95% and 83% for CK20, 37% and 95% for p63, 69% and 97% for Melan A, 88% and 92% for SOX-10, 98% and 56% for CKAE/AE3 and 75% specificity for CK7.
Conclusion:
Antibodies should be considered reliable markers for demonstrating the epithelial nature of a suspected tumour. Immunohistochemistry of necrotic tissues may provide clinically useful information.
