IHC Marker-Villin Test
About IHC Marker-Villin Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Villin IHC, Villin Immunohistochemistry, Anti-Villin Antibody Test, VIL1 IHC |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No — this test is performed on tissue samples, not blood |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults of any gender with suspected gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary, or metastatic tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker-Villin Test?
The IHC Marker-Villin test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the presence of villin protein in tumour tissue. Villin is a protein normally found in the brush border (the absorption surface) of cells lining the digestive tract. Pathologists use this test to determine whether a tumour originated from the gastrointestinal tract or related organs. It is also known as Villin Immunohistochemistry or Anti-Villin Antibody Test.
What Does an IHC Marker-Villin Test Measure?
The test uses immunohistochemistry (a technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue) to analyse a tissue sample for villin protein. The key aspects evaluated are listed below.
| Component | What It Indicates |
|---|---|
| Villin protein presence | Whether tumour cells express villin, suggesting a gastrointestinal or related tissue origin |
| Staining pattern | Brush border (apical membrane), cytoplasmic, or mixed staining pattern in tumour cells |
| Staining intensity | Level of villin expression, which may relate to tumour differentiation |
Because this is a protein detection test rather than a blood chemistry test, results are reported as positive or negative, not as numerical values.
Why Is an IHC Marker-Villin Test Done?
A doctor may request this test when tissue from a biopsy or surgery needs to be examined to identify the origin or type of a tumour. The Villin IHC test is one marker in a broader diagnostic panel used by pathologists.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following clinical situations may prompt a doctor to request this test:
- Unexplained tumour mass requiring identification of its origin
- Suspected metastatic cancer where the primary site is unknown
- Abdominal mass found on imaging that needs tissue-level analysis
- Abnormal biopsy findings requiring further cancer subtyping
- Suspected gastrointestinal malignancy requiring confirmation
- Need for tumour typing before treatment planning
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC Marker-Villin Test can assist in identifying the following conditions:
- Colorectal carcinomas (villin is expressed in 60 to 100% of cases)
- Upper gastrointestinal tract tumours such as stomach and oesophageal cancers (61 to 100%)
- Pancreatobiliary tumours, including pancreatic and bile duct cancers (25 to 86%)
- Mucinous ovarian cancers (approximately 67%)
- Yolk sac tumours (approximately 76%)
- Neuroendocrine neoplasms (22 to 41%)
- Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer, positive in 100% of cases)
- Microvillus inclusion disease, a rare intestinal disorder in children
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because the IHC Marker-Villin test procedure is performed on tissue already collected during a biopsy or surgery, the preparation steps are different from those for a routine blood test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. The test is performed on a tissue sample, not a blood sample, so dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure the tissue sample is suitable for testing:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor of any chemotherapy or radiation therapy received before the biopsy, as prior treatment may affect villin protein expression
- Ensure that tissue collected during biopsy or surgery is promptly handed to the pathology team for proper preservation
- Ask your treating doctor whether additional IHC markers will be tested alongside villin, as this is common practice
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how the villin immunohistochemistry test is performed:
- A tissue sample is collected via biopsy or surgery by your treating doctor (this step occurs before the IHC test begins).
- The tissue is fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin to preserve its structure, then embedded in paraffin wax to form a solid block (the FFPE tissue block).
- The laboratory cuts the block into very thin sections (approximately 3 to 5 micrometres thick) and places them on glass slides.
- Slides are treated with anti-villin antibodies. These antibodies attach to villin protein if it is present in the tissue, and a coloured marker makes the binding visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope, assessing whether villin protein is present and noting the pattern of staining.
- A detailed pathology report is prepared and dispatched within the turnaround time.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may influence the quality and reliability of the test result:
- Tissue fixation quality: improper or delayed preservation after biopsy can alter protein structure
- Over-fixation in formalin, which may make the tissue less suitable for antibody detection
- Prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can modify how proteins are expressed in tumour cells
- Specimen size: very small biopsy samples may provide limited material for analysis
- Age of the tissue sample, as older specimens may show variable staining patterns
Understanding Your IHC Marker-Villin Test Results
Villin IHC results are interpreted by a pathologist alongside other clinical and laboratory findings. Unlike routine blood tests, there is no single numerical reference range. Instead, results are expressed as positive or negative, with a description of the staining pattern.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive (brush border or cytoplasmic staining) | Suggests tumour origin from gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary, or related tissues |
| Positive (weak or focal) | May occur in a wide range of tumour types; requires correlation with other markers |
| Negative | Does not confirm non-GI origin; poorly differentiated colorectal cancers may be villin-negative |
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
Loss of villin expression is associated with poorly differentiated tumours. In colorectal cancer, reduced villin expression has been linked to more advanced disease stage, and a negative result in a poorly differentiated tumour does not rule out colorectal cancer. Because weak villin positivity can occur across many different tumour categories, this test is best used as part of a broader marker panel rather than as a standalone test.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Because this is a cancer diagnostic marker rather than a routine wellness test, the following guidance is general in nature:
- Attend regular cancer screening as recommended by your doctor, particularly if you have a family history of gastrointestinal cancers.
- Discuss the full panel of IHC markers with your oncologist to ensure a complete picture of your diagnosis.
- Follow your treating specialist's advice regarding further investigations based on the test result.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker-Villin Test Price
The IHC Marker-Villin test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available, as the test is performed on a tissue block that must be submitted directly to the laboratory.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book the IHC Marker-Villin test online 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 to submit your FFPE tissue block or tissue slides.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC Marker-Villin test helps pathologists determine whether a tumour originated from the gastrointestinal tract or related organs such as the pancreas or bile ducts. It is typically performed on tissue obtained through a biopsy or surgery and is used as part of a broader cancer diagnostic workup.
The tissue sample is obtained through a biopsy or surgical procedure carried out by your treating doctor. The collected tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax to form an FFPE block, which is then sent to the laboratory for the Villin IHC test.
No. The IHC marker-Villin test requires a tissue block or unstained slides that must be submitted directly to a Lupin Diagnostics centre. Home collection is not available for this test.
A positive result suggests that the tumour likely originated from gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary, or related tissues, such as the colon, stomach, pancreas, bile duct, or ovary (mucinous type). However, the result must always be interpreted alongside other markers and your clinical history.
Yes. A negative result does not exclude colorectal cancer, particularly in poorly differentiated tumours where villin expression may be reduced or absent. Your pathologist will use additional IHC markers and clinical information before reaching a diagnosis.
At Lupin Diagnostics, results are typically delivered within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the tissue sample. Turnaround time may vary if additional markers are being tested at the same time.
Villin can show weak positivity in many different tumour types, so it is not reliable as a standalone test. Testing it alongside other markers improves diagnostic accuracy and helps your pathologist reach a more precise conclusion about the tumour's origin and type.
IHC Marker-Villin Test
