IHC
Also written as: IHC — Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry; a laboratory technique that uses antibody–antigen interactions to identify specific proteins in tissue sections, widely used in oral and maxillofacial pathology for tumour classification.
Full Definition
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a histological technique in which antibodies are applied to tissue sections to detect the presence, absence, or distribution of specific antigens, thereby aiding tumour classification, grading, and the identification of tissue origin. In oral maxillofacial pathology, IHC markers such as p16, CK5/6, p63, S-100, SMA, and Ki-67 are routinely reported in pathology documents. Editors must ensure that IHC marker names are rendered consistently and accurately—marker designations combine letters and numbers with specific capitalisation conventions (e.g., 'Ki-67', not 'KI67' or 'ki67'). Results are typically reported as positive (+), negative (−), or with a percentage expression score.
Usage
Usage note: Expand on first use in manuscripts. Ensure IHC marker designations follow exact published conventions (e.g., 'Ki-67' with hyphen, 'p16' lowercase 'p'). Positive/negative results should use the conventional symbols (+ / −) or words consistently throughout the document.
In Context
- "IHC panel results: p63 positive, CK5/6 positive, S-100 negative—supporting a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma." — Pathology report ancillary studies section
- "Editors must preserve the exact capitalisation of IHC marker names as designated by the manufacturer or WHO nomenclature." — Editorial style guide