Accurate Histopathology: Key to Early Detection and Effective Treatment
Visiting Histopathologist: Prof. Priyani Amarathunga
Histopathology involves the examination of whole tissue samples under a microscope to detect cancer cells and other cellular abnormalities, helping to diagnose diseases at the cellular level. This process is essential for identifying a wide range of conditions, from cancer to infections and inflammatory diseases.
At Lanka Hospitals Laboratories, each specimen undergoes meticulous preparation. Our highly trained staff use specific techniques, such as staining and sectioning. Further techniques like immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemical staining, etc. are used to enable accurate diagnosis which helps to guide appropriate treatment plans, ensuring the highest standard of patient care.
Our state-of-the-art laboratory conducts a range of routine tests, including:
Routine histopathology
Cytology
Immunohistochemistry staining (more than 70 markers)
Frozen sections
Immunofluorescence staining
Special stains (PAS / Alcian Blue / Masson's trichrome / PASM etc.)
Screening is conducted for different types of specimens including:
Tissue specimens
Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA’s)
Urine
Sputum
Body fluids
Bronchial lavage / brushings
Immunohistochemistry
A lab test that uses antibodies to test for certain antigens (markers) in a sample of tissue. The antibodies are usually linked to an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. When the antibodies bind to the antigen in the tissue sample, the enzyme or dye is activated, and the antigen can then be seen under a microscope. Immunohistochemistry is used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. It may also be used to help tell the difference between different types of cancer.
Immunofluorescence
This is a laboratory technique, which is based on the use of specific antibodies which have been chemically conjugated to fluorescent dyes. These labelled antibodies bind directly or indirectly to cellular antigens. The technique has a number of different biological applications including evaluation of cells in suspension, cultured cells, tissue, beads and in microarrays.
Special Stains
Special stains are used to help visualize and/or identify structures and substances in sections. CPL can provide most standard special stains. While cytology tests will help formulate an initial diagnosis, immunohistochemistry is used to arrive at a definite diagnosis, where it is impossible diagnose a disease via routine histology tests.
Immunofluorescence tests are used for diseases that are caused by immunoglobulin accumulation and special stains are used as confirmatory tests to differentiate between various features of tissues that are not very significantly recognized by routine histology alone.