Differential diagnostics

There is a wide spectrum of tumors, whose histogenesis cannot be accurately estimated by using routine pathologic analysis only (microscopy of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of tissue, stained with hematoxylin and eosin). Such tumors are: anaplastic cancers, lymphomas, amelanotic melanomas, soft-tissue tumors. Metastatic tumors of unknown primary origin take a special place in this line. The difficulty of diagnostics is determined, predominantly, by low differentiation of tumor tissue. That means that specific structures typical for its mature analog (obligatory for diagnosing some particular kind of tumor) are missing. Neoplastic tissue, in such cases, usually looks like a layer of anaplastic cells forming no structures. Pathologist can only contemplate the origin of such types of tumors on the basis of his long-term experience and some "vague feeling”, which can develop with years of practice. However, quantity of false diagnoses in such cases is quite considerable, if only traditional pathologic analysis is used. Pathologist’s report is of a great importance in determining of treatment tactics. For example, lymphoma’s, cancer’s and melanoma’s treatment tactics differ a lot, clinical presentations in such cases can’t be used for differential diagnostic though. Pathologic verification of tumor is critical.

IHC-method became a great solution for "differential diagnostic” problems in oncology. Of course, only if it’s used and interpreted by an experienced pathologist (and on conditions that technology during all stages of IHC-study was absolutely followed).

In almost all "differential diagnostic” cases, we are able to obtain that minimum of information that is required for determining principal approaches to treatment.