When doctors need to understand what's happening in tissues to diagnose diseases, they use two important tools: histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Both are helpful, but they work in different ways. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Histopathology is the main method used for diagnosing diseases. It means looking at tissue samples under a microscope after they have been treated and colored with special dyes. Here are some key points:
How It Works: Histopathologists take small slices of tissue, usually preserved in a chemical called formalin and embedded in wax. The most common dye used is Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). This dye helps to show the shapes and structures of cells so we can see the difference between healthy and unhealthy tissues.
Why We Use It: The main goal is to find out if there are diseases, especially cancers. By studying how the cells and tissues look, doctors can spot various issues like inflammation, cell death, or cancer.
Example: If someone has a strange lump, a doctor might do a biopsy, which means taking a small piece of the lump. The tissue is then sent for histopathology. The pathologist looks at the H&E stained slides to see if the cells are normal or if they show signs of cancer.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a more detailed technique that uses antibodies to find specific proteins in tissue samples. Here’s what makes it unique:
How It Works: In IHC, tissue slices are treated with antibodies that match certain proteins or markers. These antibodies often have a dye or a colored enzyme attached to them. When they bind to their target protein, they reveal important details about what proteins are there or missing.
Why We Use It: IHC helps doctors make more accurate diagnoses by showing how tumors and other tissues behave. It's especially helpful in figuring out what type of tumor it is, where it might have come from, and how best to treat it. It can show the presence of specific hormone receptors that suggest a certain type of treatment.
Example: For someone with breast cancer, IHC is often used to check for estrogen and progesterone receptors. If a pathologist finds high levels of these receptors, it could mean that hormone therapy would be a good option for that patient.
How They Work:
Why They Are Used:
When They Are Used:
In short, histopathology gives important basic information about tissue structure and disease diagnosis. On the other hand, immunohistochemistry digs deeper by showing specific proteins, which helps understand the disease better and decide how to treat it. Together, they are a powerful combination that helps doctors provide better care for their patients.
When doctors need to understand what's happening in tissues to diagnose diseases, they use two important tools: histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Both are helpful, but they work in different ways. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Histopathology is the main method used for diagnosing diseases. It means looking at tissue samples under a microscope after they have been treated and colored with special dyes. Here are some key points:
How It Works: Histopathologists take small slices of tissue, usually preserved in a chemical called formalin and embedded in wax. The most common dye used is Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). This dye helps to show the shapes and structures of cells so we can see the difference between healthy and unhealthy tissues.
Why We Use It: The main goal is to find out if there are diseases, especially cancers. By studying how the cells and tissues look, doctors can spot various issues like inflammation, cell death, or cancer.
Example: If someone has a strange lump, a doctor might do a biopsy, which means taking a small piece of the lump. The tissue is then sent for histopathology. The pathologist looks at the H&E stained slides to see if the cells are normal or if they show signs of cancer.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a more detailed technique that uses antibodies to find specific proteins in tissue samples. Here’s what makes it unique:
How It Works: In IHC, tissue slices are treated with antibodies that match certain proteins or markers. These antibodies often have a dye or a colored enzyme attached to them. When they bind to their target protein, they reveal important details about what proteins are there or missing.
Why We Use It: IHC helps doctors make more accurate diagnoses by showing how tumors and other tissues behave. It's especially helpful in figuring out what type of tumor it is, where it might have come from, and how best to treat it. It can show the presence of specific hormone receptors that suggest a certain type of treatment.
Example: For someone with breast cancer, IHC is often used to check for estrogen and progesterone receptors. If a pathologist finds high levels of these receptors, it could mean that hormone therapy would be a good option for that patient.
How They Work:
Why They Are Used:
When They Are Used:
In short, histopathology gives important basic information about tissue structure and disease diagnosis. On the other hand, immunohistochemistry digs deeper by showing specific proteins, which helps understand the disease better and decide how to treat it. Together, they are a powerful combination that helps doctors provide better care for their patients.