IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, CD 31

The IHC – CD31 (Cluster of Differentiation 31) test is an immunohistochemistry-based diagnostic assay used to detect CD31 protein expression in tissue samples. CD31 is a key endothelial cell marker that is primarily expressed on the surface of blood vessel lining cells (endothelial cells) and plays an important role in vascular biology.

This test is widely used in pathology to identify vascular origin tumors, assess angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and differentiate between vascular and non-vascular lesions. It is especially valuable in oncology for diagnosing tumors originating from blood vessels or those showing increased vascular activity.

Benefits of the Test

• Helps identify vascular tumors such as hemangiomas and angiosarcomas
• Assists in detecting tumor angiogenesis
• Supports tumor classification in pathology
• Differentiates vascular tumors from other soft tissue tumors
• Improves diagnostic accuracy in cancer evaluation

Why Doctors Recommend This Test

Doctors recommend the IHC CD31 test when a tissue biopsy shows unclear tumor origin or when vascular involvement is suspected. It is commonly used in:

• Suspected vascular tumors
• Soft tissue tumor evaluation
• Cancer staging and classification
• Research or confirmation of tumor angiogenesis
• Differentiating endothelial-origin neoplasms from other malignancies

CD31 is considered a reliable marker for endothelial differentiation and is often used alongside other IHC markers like CD34 and Factor VIII-related antigen for precise diagnosis.

Preparation Before Test

No special patient preparation is required. Important points include:

• The test is performed on a biopsy or surgical tissue sample
• No fasting or medication restrictions for the patient
• Clinical history and previous reports may be required for accurate interpretation

Normal Reporting Time

The typical turnaround time is 3 to 5 working days, depending on sample complexity and laboratory workload.

Who Should Take This Test

• Patients with suspected vascular tumors
• Individuals with soft tissue masses of unknown origin
• Cases requiring tumor classification in pathology
• Patients undergoing cancer staging workup
• Suspected hemangioma or angiosarcoma cases

The IHC CD31 test plays a crucial role in modern histopathology by helping pathologists identify endothelial cell presence and understand tumor vascular behavior, leading to more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.