IHC - Pancytokeratin Test

Pancytokeratin test is performed on a sample of biopsy tissue to measure the level of Pancytokeratin (Panck) in the biopsy tissue. It is performed to confirm Epithelial Origin Tumours and also during the treatment and after the treatment of Epithelial Origin Tumours. This test is also known as IHC Marker Pan Ck Immunohistochemistry Biopsy Tissue test. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a special staining procedure used on fresh or frozen breast cancer tissue extracted during biopsy. This is a very critical process for treatment planning.

No special preparation is required for IHC-Pan cytokeratin test. Inform your doctor if you're on any medications or have any underlying medical conditions or allergies before undergoing IHC-Pan cytokeratin test. Your doctor depending on your condition can give specific directions.

IHC-Pancytokeratin test is widely used to diagnose if a tumour has a lot of the HER2 receptor protein on the surface of the cancer cells. If there are too many HER2 receptors, the cells might receive a lot of signals telling them to grow and divide which would further spread the cancer. The normal result for Pancytokeratin Immunohistochemistry Biopsy Tissue for Pancytokeratin (Panck) is a positive staining is seen in case of detection of Epithelial Origin Tumors for Unisex gender and for All age groups.

IHC-Pancytokeratin is performed using a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is done while the patient is underneath local anaesthesia. Typically, this test is performed in a hospital setting where medications are administered to make the patient drowsy. The operating surgeon makes a one- to two-inch cut on the breast and then removes all or a part of the abnormal lump and sometimes a small quantity of normal-looking tissue, referred to as the “margin.” If the lump cannot be easily felt but can be seen on a mammogram or ultrasound, a radiologist may insert a thin wire to mark the suspicious spot prior to the surgeon performing the biopsy. Once again, a marker is usually placed internally at the biopsy site at the conclusion of the procedure. There might be slight pain for a couple of days once the procedure is completed.