Visakha Institute of Skin & AllergySpecialist Dermatopathology Reporting | In-house Tissue Processing | Nationwide Referrals
Visakha Institute of Skin & Allergy, Visakhapatnam, provides immunohistochemistry (IHC) services for skin biopsies referred by dermatologists, pathologists, hospitals and diagnostic laboratories across India.
Routine tissue processing is performed in-house, with specialist dermatopathological assessment by Dr Sasi Kiran Attili, consultant dermatologist and internationally certified dermatopathologist.
Immunohistochemistry is used selectively to address diagnostic questions that cannot be adequately resolved by routine histopathology alone.
When Is Immunohistochemistry Useful in Dermatopathology?
IHC is particularly valuable in selected diagnostically challenging skin lesions.
Melanocytic Lesions
Immunohistochemistry may help establish melanocytic differentiation, assess the distribution and maturation of melanocytes, and investigate selected atypical melanocytic proliferations.
IHC findings must be interpreted alongside routine H&E morphology and the clinical context. No individual marker can reliably distinguish all benign from malignant melanocytic lesions.
Cutaneous Lymphoid Infiltrates
Selected immunohistochemical panels can characterise lymphocyte populations and assess their distribution and immunophenotype.
IHC may contribute to the investigation of suspected cutaneous lymphomas, although interpretation requires integration with the clinical presentation and histological findings. Reactive and neoplastic lymphoid infiltrates may show overlapping immunophenotypic features.
Cutaneous Adnexal and Epithelial Tumours
IHC may help identify lines of differentiation and narrow the differential diagnosis in selected adnexal, epithelial and poorly differentiated cutaneous tumours.
Other Diagnostic Applications
Immunohistochemistry can also assist with selected spindle-cell lesions, metastatic tumours involving the skin and other histologically challenging cases.
Our approach is to request IHC when it is likely to influence the diagnosis, rather than routinely adding large panels of stains.
Can I Send an Existing Paraffin Block for IHC?
Yes. We accept formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) skin biopsy blocks from diagnostic laboratories across India.
An existing H&E slide and original histopathology report are useful for reviewing the morphology and selecting an appropriate immunohistochemical panel.
If only stained slides are available, please contact us before dispatch. Additional unstained sections or a paraffin block may be required.
The suitability of a specimen depends on tissue preservation, fixation, remaining tissue and the diagnostic question.
Charges for Immunohistochemistry
1,000 per IHC stain.
Histopathology reporting or specialist review fees may be additional, depending on the referral.
The number and selection of stains will be determined by the diagnostic requirement. Please contact us for case-specific enquiries.
How to Refer a Case from Anywhere in India
- Contact us before dispatch with the clinical details and diagnostic question.
- Send the paraffin block with the existing H&E slides and histopathology report, where available.
- Provide relevant clinical photographs and the differential diagnosis.
Following assessment and any indicated staining, the report will be issued electronically.
Turnaround depends on the number and type of investigations required and will be discussed at the time of referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request IHC on a biopsy processed elsewhere?
Yes. Existing FFPE blocks can be submitted for additional immunohistochemical investigations.
Can I send tissue directly for histopathology and IHC?
Yes. We accept routine skin biopsy specimens for processing and specialist reporting, with IHC added when indicated.
Will IHC always provide a definitive diagnosis?
No. Immunohistochemistry is an adjunct to morphology and clinical findings. Some cases remain diagnostically equivocal despite additional staining.
Do you accept specimens from outside Andhra Pradesh?
Yes. Referrals are accepted from across India.
Contact for Skin Biopsy IHC Referrals
Dr Sasi Kiran Attili
Consultant Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist
Visakha Institute of Skin & Allergy
Maharanipeta, Visakhapatnam – 530002
Andhra Pradesh, India
WhatsApp: +91 90009 86966
Email: ldpathindia@gmail.com
For routine skin biopsy histopathology, special stains and other diagnostic services, please visit our main [Dermatopathology Referral Service](https://www.visakhaskinclinic.com/treatments/skin-biopsy-histopathology-slide-reporting/) page.
Please contact us before sending specimens.