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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Histological-Based Stainings Using Free-Floating Tissue Sections
Published on: August 25, 2020
[Immunohistochemistry in the anatomopathologic diagnosis]
F C Schmitt1, P A Kimaid, P F Campos
1Departamento de Patologia da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP.
Insights
Immunohistochemical staining methods significantly aid in diagnosing medical specimens. This technique is crucial for confirming diagnoses and distinguishing between various cancers like carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Morphologic diagnosis relies on specimen examination.
- Immunohistochemistry utilizes antibodies to identify specific antigens in tissues.
- The diagnostic utility of these methods requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the value of immunohistochemical staining in morphologic diagnosis.
- To determine the impact of immunoperoxidase staining on diagnostic outcomes.
- To evaluate the contribution of immunohistochemistry in differentiating neoplastic entities.
Main Methods:
- Review of 949 pathology specimens from 1984-1989.
- Application of immunoperoxidase staining techniques (PAP or ABC).
- Analysis of diagnostic outcomes, including confirmation, definitive diagnosis, and contribution.
Main Results:
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the main morphologic diagnosis in 49.3% of cases.
- Definitive diagnoses were established in 25.7% of cases with only differential diagnoses.
- Unsuspected diagnoses were rendered in 5.2% of cases, highlighting its diagnostic power.
- The technique proved particularly useful in distinguishing carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical methods provide essential information for definitive pathological diagnosis.
- This technique enhances diagnostic accuracy, especially in complex or undifferentiated cases.
- Immunohistochemistry is a valuable tool for differentiating between major tumor types.
Abstract:
In order to determine the value of immunohistochemical staining methods for morphologic diagnosis specimens of 949 cases received at the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Pathology of the Medical School of Botucatu, in the period 1984-1989 were reviewed. All of them were submitted to the immunoperoxidase staining (PAP or ABC). The main morphologic diagnosis was confirmed in 468 cases (49.3%); the definitive diagnosis was made in 244 cases (25.7%) that had only differential diagnosis, and contributory information was provided in 74 cases (7.8%); the immunohistochemical staining was non-contributory in 114 cases (12%). It rendered an unsuspected diagnosis in 49 cases (5.2%). The analysis of these cases shows that immunohistochemical methods may provide important and sometimes essential informations for definitive diagnosis. This technique is particularly useful for distinguishing between carcinoma, lymphoma and melanoma.
