IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Immunohistochemistry Panel (5 Markers), IHC 5 Markers Test, IHC Marker Panel, 5 Antibody IHC Panel |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 7 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages when a cancer diagnosis or tumour characterisation is required |
| Price | Starting at ₹5,500 |
What is an IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test?
The IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test is a specialised laboratory examination that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins within a tissue sample. A pathologist selects up to five protein markers based on the clinical question at hand.
The test is performed on a tissue sample obtained through a biopsy or surgical procedure. It is also called the IHC 5 Markers Test or Immunohistochemistry Panel (5 Markers).
What Does an IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test Measure?
The test identifies which proteins are present or absent in the tissue sample. The pathologist chooses five markers most relevant to the suspected diagnosis. Common markers include those listed below.
| Marker | What it Helps Identify |
|---|---|
| CK7 (Cytokeratin 7) | Helps trace the breast or lung origin of a metastatic carcinoma |
| CK20 (Cytokeratin 20) | Supports confirmation of a gastrointestinal or colorectal cancer origin |
| ER (Oestrogen Receptor) | Assesses hormone receptor status in breast cancer |
| PR (Progesterone Receptor) | Assesses hormone receptor status in breast cancer alongside ER |
| HER2 | Identifies patients who may respond to HER2-targeted treatment |
| Ki-67 | Measures how rapidly tumour cells are dividing, indicating aggressiveness |
| TTF-1 | Supports the diagnosis of primary lung adenocarcinoma |
| CD20 / CD3 | Identifies B-cell or T-cell lineage in lymphoma |
| PD-L1 | Helps assess whether immunotherapy may be effective |
Why is an IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test Done?
Doctors order this test when a tissue abnormality has been found, and further characterisation is needed. Below are the common reasons it is prescribed.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may lead a doctor to order a biopsy and subsequent IHC testing:
- Unexplained weight loss over a short period
- A persistent lump or mass in any part of the body
- Swollen lymph nodes that do not resolve
- Abnormal bleeding without a clear cause
- Chronic, unexplained fatigue
- Tissue abnormalities detected during a biopsy
- Suspicious findings on imaging studies, such as CT or MRI scans
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC Marker Panel assists in diagnosing and characterising several conditions:
- Cancer diagnosis and classification, distinguishing between tumour types that appear similar under a microscope
- Carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP), where the source of metastatic cancer is unclear
- Lymphoma subclassification, identifying whether the lymphoma is B-cell or T-cell in origin
- Metastatic disease assessment, determining whether cancer has spread from another organ
- Predicting likely treatment response and prognosis based on specific protein expression
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test is performed in a laboratory on tissue already collected. Here is what you need to know before and during the process.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. However, if you are undergoing a biopsy procedure under sedation, your doctor may give you separate fasting instructions for that procedure.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Being prepared can help the process go smoothly. Keep the following points in mind:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry all previous imaging reports and medical records so the pathologist can select the most appropriate markers
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, particularly blood thinners
- Disclose any known allergies or bleeding disorders, as these may affect the biopsy procedure
Step-by-Step Procedure
The IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test procedure involves the following steps:
- A tissue sample is taken from the affected area through a needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, or during tumour removal surgery.
- The sample is preserved in formalin and then embedded in paraffin wax, creating a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block.
- Thin slices of the block are placed on microscope slides in the laboratory.
- Specific antibodies, each designed to attach to one of the five selected proteins, are applied to the tissue slices.
- A dye is added to make the antibody-marked cells visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and reports which proteins are present or absent in the tissue.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of IHC testing results:
- Delay in fixing the tissue after the biopsy, as reduced blood supply causes protein degradation
- Fixation time that is too short or too long (fixation beyond 24 hours is not recommended)
- Incorrect antibody concentration or inadequate washing steps during the staining process
- Poor tissue preservation or an insufficient ratio of tissue to fixative solution
- The quality and specificity of the primary antibodies used in the test
Understanding Your IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test Results
IHC results require expert interpretation. A qualified pathologist reports findings for each of the five selected markers. Results are not presented as simple numerical values; instead, they follow a pattern outlined below.
| Result Format | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Positive (+) | The target protein is present in the tissue |
| Negative (−) | The target protein is absent in the tissue |
| Intensity Score (0 to 3+) | Used for HER2: 0 to 1+ is negative, 2+ is borderline, 3+ is positive |
| Percentage (0% to 100%) | Indicates the proportion of cells staining positive for the marker |
A positive result for a specific marker may indicate the presence of cancer cells, point to a particular tumour origin, or suggest that certain targeted treatments could be beneficial.
A negative result indicates the absence of that particular protein, which may help rule out certain diagnoses or indicate that a different set of markers should be tested.
"These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice."
Results During Special Conditions
Certain conditions can alter how reliably the markers are expressed in the tissue:
- Delayed fixation of two hours or more after sample collection has been shown to reduce or increase staining intensity for markers such as ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67.
- Poor tissue preservation or inadequate fixation can produce false negative or false positive results, which may affect diagnostic conclusions.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
IHC does not produce numerical levels, but the following general steps support good outcomes after the test:
- Follow all post-biopsy care instructions from your doctor to ensure proper healing.
- Maintain open communication with your treating oncologist about what the results mean for your care.
- If results are inconclusive, ask your doctor about additional molecular testing options such as fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).
Lupin Diagnostics IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test Price
The IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹5,500. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test, as it requires a specialised FFPE tissue block prepared from a biopsy or surgical procedure.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 4900 |
| CHENNAI | 4900 |
| HYDERABAD | 4900 |
| KOLKATA | 4900 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 4900 |
| PUNE | 4900 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps for IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test online booking or at a centre:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test is a laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in a tissue sample. A pathologist selects up to five protein markers based on your clinical situation. It is widely used in cancer diagnosis and tumour characterisation.
The tissue sample is collected through a biopsy, which may be a needle biopsy or a surgical procedure. In some cases, the sample comes from tissue removed during tumour surgery. The biopsy is a separate procedure performed by your doctor before the IHC test is carried out in the laboratory.
The IHC test itself is performed entirely in the laboratory and involves no discomfort for you. Any discomfort is associated with the biopsy procedure used to collect the tissue sample, which your doctor will manage with local anaesthesia or sedation as appropriate.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is typically available within 7 days. The process involves multiple laboratory steps, including tissue fixation, staining, and expert pathologist review, which is why the turnaround time is longer than routine blood tests.
Yes. IHC results provide information that helps oncologists select appropriate treatment. For example, a HER2-positive result may indicate that a patient could benefit from targeted therapy, while hormone receptor status helps determine whether hormone-based treatment is suitable. Your oncologist will explain what the findings mean for your specific case.
A biopsy is the procedure used to remove a small piece of tissue from the body. Immunohistochemistry is one of the laboratory techniques applied to the tissue sample afterwards. They are two separate but connected steps in the diagnostic process.
When performed under proper conditions with appropriate quality controls, the IHC test is a reliable diagnostic tool. Research indicates that it can correctly identify the primary origin of a metastatic cancer with an accuracy of approximately 70% to 90%. Accuracy depends significantly on correct tissue fixation and the expertise of the pathologist reviewing the results.
IHC - Any 5 IHC Markers Test: Booking, Price, and Results
