Role of immunohistochemistry [IHC] in diagnosis of ovarian malignancies - is there any change from before?

ABSTRACT

Ovarian malignancies account for about 3% of all cancers in women. After the development of immunohistochemishy, it is now considered an essential part in diagnosing malignant ovarian tumours, including metastatic tumours. To compare between the frequencies, histological patterns and histogenesis of malignant ovarian tumours before and after the advent of immunohistochemistry. This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at department of histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP] Rawalpindi from 1[st] Jan 2010 to 10[th] Dec 2011. A total of 128 cases of malignant ovarian tumours were included. After gross and histological examination, a panel of immunohistochemistry markers was applied and tumours were classified according to WHO classification. Most frequent malignant tumours were surface epithelial tumours [54.8%] followed by metastatic tumours [12.7%]. Frequency of metastatic tumours was higher in our study as compared to other studies. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in correct diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumours and also in identifying metastatic tumours.