IHC, MOC 31 Test

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) selectively images the antigens, like proteins, in the cells from a tissue section. It exploits the characteristics of antibodies which bind specifically to antigens in the biological tissues. The test is ordered to diagnose abnormal cells which are found in cancerous tumors. MOC 31, a monoclonal antibody, helps to recognize epithelial glycoprotein of unknown function in the epithelial cells. It is widely expressed by the carcinoma cells. However, it is not expressed by lymphomas, mesotheliomas, and melanomas. It helps in differentiating between different types of carcinomas. And, most importantly, in the diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Your healthcare provider may ask you to follow some instructions before undergoing the test. You should inform your doctor about any medications you are taking and ask for proper guidance. Make sure that the area, where needle will be injected, is cleaned because in other case it might infect your test sample through the needle. Once your blood sample is drawn make sure to hold the injected area to avoid bleeding.

Your healthcare provider may ask you to follow some instructions before undergoing the test. You should inform your doctor about any medications you are taking and ask for proper guidance. Make sure that the area, where needle will be injected, is cleaned because in other case it might infect your test sample through the needle. Once your blood sample is drawn make sure to hold the injected area to avoid bleeding.

The procedure is simple and takes not more than half an hour. You will have to be present at the test center when the time is allotted. The nurse at the health center will take a sample of your blood. The sample blood will be drawn from patients arm vein. The nurse will locate the vein in your arm and inject a sharp needle to fill the vial with sufficient amount of sample blood. Once sufficient amount is collected in the vial they will press the injected area to stop over bleeding.