What should you know about ovarian cancer IHC?

IHC means immunohistochemistry. A pathologist applies antibodies to a tissue sample; the antibodies attach to selected proteins and create staining patterns viewed under a microscope. The pattern can support a diagnosis, distinguish ovarian cancer from another cancer that has reached the ovary, and help separate tumour subtypes.

An IHC result is one part of the pathology report, not a stand-alone prediction about an individual future. The pathologist interprets it alongside the tumour’s appearance, sample quality, imaging, and clinical history. Some stains suggest whether additional molecular or genetic testing could be useful; they do not replace a discussion of the whole report.

Ask which markers were tested, what each result means in your tumour, and whether a result is positive, negative, equivocal, or limited by the sample. Ask whether genomic tumour profiling or BRCA genetic testing is relevant, because tumour testing and inherited genetic testing answer different questions.

Keep a copy of the pathology report and write down unfamiliar marker names before your oncology appointment. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or another approach depending on stage, tumour type, symptoms, and test results. A pathology review can clarify a report that does not match the clinical picture.

IHC itself is performed on tissue already collected and usually does not cause new symptoms. Contact your care team promptly for worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fever, increasing abdominal swelling, or inability to keep fluids down while waiting for results or treatment.

Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, sudden confusion, or rapidly worsening weakness. These warning symptoms need assessment regardless of what the IHC report says.

What diagnosis does the full pathology report support? Which IHC markers were used and why? Is any result uncertain because of the sample? Do I need tumour profiling or inherited genetic counselling? How could these findings affect surgery or chemotherapy?