Immunohistochemistry Panel
A coordinated battery of immunohistochemical stains applied to tissue sections to characterise the phenotype of a lesion, confirm a diagnosis, or exclude differentials in oral and maxillofacial pathology.
Full Definition
An immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel in oral and maxillofacial pathology is a selected set of antibody markers chosen to resolve a specific diagnostic question, such as differentiating salivary gland tumour types, classifying lymphomas, or confirming carcinoma versus sarcoma. Common markers include CK5/6, p63, p40, SMA, S100, CD20, CD3, Ki-67, and SOX10, depending on the clinical context. Editors reviewing pathology reports must ensure that all markers in the panel are named consistently, that positive and negative results are clearly attributed to the correct markers, and that interpretation sentences match the results table. The abbreviation 'IHC panel' is acceptable after first expansion.
Usage
Usage note: Ensure each marker in a panel is expanded on first use (e.g., 'smooth muscle actin (SMA)'). Results should be expressed as 'positive,' 'negative,' or 'focal/diffuse positive'—not 'reactive' or 'present' unless the journal specifies otherwise.
In Context
- "The immunohistochemistry panel, including CK7, p63, and SMA, supported a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma over polymorphous adenocarcinoma." — Surgical pathology report
- "The editor standardized the IHC panel results table so that all markers were listed in the same order as they appeared in the text discussion." — Pathology journal article editing