IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Adipophilin IHC, ADFP Marker, PLIN2 IHC, Perilipin-2 Marker, Adipose Differentiation-Related Protein (ADRP) Marker |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No — this test is performed on tissue samples already collected via biopsy or surgery |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders; ordered when sebaceous tumours, eyelid lesions, or other clear cell tumours are suspected |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test?
The IHC marker - Adipophilin test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the adipophilin protein in tissue samples using a technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Adipophilin, also known as perilipin-2 or PLIN2, is a protein found on the surface of fat droplets inside cells.
Pathologists use this test to identify tumours that show sebaceous or oil gland differentiation (the tumour cells have started to change, grow, or look like normal oil gland cells), particularly in the eyelid and skin. It is also known as the Adipophilin IHC or ADRP marker test.
What Does an IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test Measure?
This test analyses how strongly and in what pattern the adipophilin protein is expressed in tumour tissue. The pattern of staining guides the pathologist's diagnosis.
The following features are assessed during the IHC marker - Adipophilin test procedure:
| Feature Assessed | What it Indicates |
|---|---|
| Vacuolar or membranous staining pattern | Positive result; supports sebaceous differentiation |
| Staining intensity (strong and foamy) | Seen in mature sebaceous tumours such as sebaceous adenoma |
| Weak or punctate staining | May be seen in less differentiated sebaceous carcinomas |
| Granular-only staining | Considered non-specific; does not confirm sebaceous origin |
| Negative staining | Tumour is unlikely to be of sebaceous origin |
Why is an IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test Done?
This test is ordered when a pathologist or clinician needs to confirm whether a tumour arises from oil glands or to distinguish it from other tumours that look similar under the microscope.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend tissue biopsy and subsequent Adipophilin IHC testing when a patient presents with the following:
- A slow-growing, painless, yellowish lump on the eyelid that feels deep and firm
- Thickening of the eyelid margin, particularly where the lid meets the lashes
- A persistent eyelid growth that resembles a pimple or a stye (chalazion) but does not respond to standard treatment
- Yellow or reddish crusting along the eyelid
- Recurrent blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) or conjunctivitis that does not improve with treatment
- A skin lesion with clear or foamy cells seen on routine biopsy
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The PLIN2 IHC marker assists in diagnosing or ruling out several conditions:
- Sebaceous carcinoma (cancer of the oil glands), particularly of the eyelid
- Sebaceous adenoma and sebaceoma (benign or low-grade oil gland tumours)
- Xanthelasmas and xanthomas (fat-deposit lesions)
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, where adipophilin may be expressed
- Lung adenocarcinoma, where elevated adipophilin expression has been reported
- Tumours with clear cell morphology that may mimic sebaceous carcinoma, such as clear cell squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test is performed on tissue collected via biopsy or surgery, there is no direct patient preparation required at the time of testing.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is needed. The IHC marker - Adipophilin test is not performed on blood or urine. It uses a tissue block already collected by your surgeon or dermatologist.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Before submitting tissue for the Adipophilin IHC test, 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
- Provide any earlier histopathology or pathology reports to the laboratory
- Ensure the tissue was fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for 12 to 24 hours before processing
- Inform your doctor of all suspected diagnoses so the appropriate panel of IHC markers can be selected
- Disclose any prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as these can affect protein expression in the tissue
Step-by-Step IHC marker - Adipophilin test Procedure
The following steps describe how this test is carried out from tissue collection to result:
- A surgeon, dermatologist, or ophthalmologist collects tissue from the suspicious area through a needle biopsy or surgical excision.
- The tissue is placed in formalin to preserve it, then embedded in paraffin wax to create a firm block. Thin slices are cut from this block and placed on glass slides.
- The slides are treated with an antibody that binds specifically to the adipophilin protein. A detectable marker (an enzyme or dye) attached to the antibody makes the protein visible under the microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides, assessing the pattern, intensity, and distribution of staining.
- The pathologist records the result as positive (vacuolar pattern) or negative and documents the staining pattern in detail.
- The final report is generated, usually within 3 days, and interpreted alongside clinical findings and other IHC markers.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
- Poor tissue fixation or delays in processing after biopsy collection
- Prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can alter protein expression
- Very small tissue samples that may not provide enough material for an accurate assessment
- Laboratory variables such as antibody quality, equipment calibration, and staining technique
- Age of the tissue block (older blocks may show reduced staining quality)
Understanding Your IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test Results
Results from this test are qualitative, meaning they are reported as positive or negative rather than as numbers. A qualified pathologist interprets the staining pattern in context with your clinical history, histology, and other markers.
| Result | Pattern | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Vacuolar or membranous | Supports sebaceous differentiation; consistent with sebaceous carcinoma or adenoma |
| Negative or granular only | Granular cytoplasmic or absent | Does not support sebaceous origin; other diagnoses should be considered |
Disclaimer: 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
The context of other IHC markers can change how adipophilin results are interpreted:
- When adipophilin staining is positive alongside PAX8 positivity, the findings are more consistent with clear cell renal cell carcinoma rather than sebaceous carcinoma.
- Adipophilin expression is less useful when metastatic renal cell carcinoma is part of the differential diagnosis, as it can be positive in this condition as well.
- The combination of adipophilin-positive, androgen receptor (AR)-positive, and PAX8-negative staining points more strongly towards sebaceous carcinoma.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
This test is used for tumour diagnosis, not routine health screening. General skin and eye health tips include:
- Protect your skin, particularly around the head and neck, from excessive sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancers.
- Consult an ophthalmologist or dermatologist promptly if you notice a persistent eyelid lump that does not respond to treatment.
- Attend follow-up appointments as advised by your specialist after any skin or eyelid biopsy.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test Price
The IHC marker - Adipophilin test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or submission of your existing FFPE tissue block; home collection is not available for this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
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 the IHC marker - Adipophilin test online booking with Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your FFPE tissue block or biopsy specimen.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test detects the adipophilin protein in tumour tissue to help identify sebaceous (oil gland) tumours, particularly cancers of the eyelid. It helps pathologists separate sebaceous carcinoma from other tumours that look similar under the microscope, such as squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma.
No. The IHC marker - Adipophilin test is performed on a tissue block collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure. The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin before being sent to the laboratory.
Results for the IHC marker - Adipophilin test are typically available within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the tissue block. Turnaround time may vary depending on specimen quality and the complexity of interpretation.
No. A positive adipophilin result supports the presence of sebaceous differentiation but must be interpreted alongside other IHC markers, the patient's clinical history, and the full histological findings. The pathologist provides the final diagnosis after considering all available information.
No. IHC marker - Adipophilin Test Home Collection is not available as the test requires a tissue block obtained through biopsy or surgery performed by a specialist.
A negative result (or granular-only staining) suggests the tumour is unlikely to have originated from oil glands. However, this does not rule out cancer entirely. Your pathologist may recommend additional IHC markers to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Bring your complete clinical history, any previous histopathology or imaging reports, and the FFPE tissue block from your earlier biopsy or surgery. A detailed clinical background is required for this test and helps the pathologist interpret the results accurately.
IHC Marker - Adipophilin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
