CAP Pro Course - Histology - Immunohistochemistry Part 2 (2025 & 2026)

Author: Carla Shoffeitt, MSM, HT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Discuss immunohistochemistry (IHC) applications related to pathologic diagnosis.
  • Review diagnostic IHC breast markers.
  • Discuss specialized techniques in IHC staining.
  • Discuss the diagnostic use of immunofluorescence staining.
  • Identify appropriate quality control measures in IHC staining.
  • Troubleshoot and discuss factors affecting stain quality.

Course Outline

  • Discuss immunohistochemistry (IHC) applications related to pathologic diagnosis.
      • Anaplastic Tumor Workup
      • Immunohistochemistry Stains for Specific Neoplasms
      • Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry Markers in Lymphoid Processes
      • Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry Markers for Skin
      • Proliferation Markers
      • Immunohistochemistry Stains for Infectious Processes
      • Dr. Caraway is reviewing a solid tumor case, which is anaplastic. The pathologist suspects that the poorly differentiated tumor is hematopoietic in na...
      • The dermatopathologist has requested a CD1a immunohistochemistry stain on a skin resection specimen. Which of the following skin disorders is the derm...
      • Which IHC marker correlates with other proliferation indicators to assess the progression (growth) of tumors?
  • Review diagnostic IHC breast markers.
      • Estrogen/Progesterone Receptors as Prognosis Predictors
      • Oncogenes
      • Regulatory Requirements Related to Estrogen Receptors, Progesterone Receptors, and HER2
      • You have been assigned to work in the gross room today. Your duties include determining which breast cases can be loaded onto the tissue processor for...
      • Aaron is microscopically reviewing slides that were stained for estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth facto...
  • Discuss specialized techniques in IHC staining.
      • Immunohistochemical Staining: Frozen Sections
      • Immunohistochemical Staining: Cytology Preparations
      • Immunohistochemical Staining: Double Stains
      • Drew has been asked by Dr. Smith to implement the use of an IHC double staining protocol for the Hematopathology group. Of the following, which is the...
      • You have been asked to perform immunohistochemistry staining on a cell block from a cytology specimen. Which of the following represents the staining ...
  • Discuss the diagnostic use of immunofluorescence staining.
      • Direct versus Indirect Methods of Immunofluorescent Staining
      • Immunofluorescent Staining: Renal Biopsy Specimens
      • Immunofluorescent Staining: Skin Biopsy Specimens
      • Immunofluorescent Staining: Disadvantages and False Positivity
      • A request has been made for you to perform immunofluorescent (IF) staining on a transplant renal biopsy. Which of the following best describes the fun...
      • Devon has received a skin biopsy that will require immunofluorescent (IF) staining. It is late on a Friday evening, and the technical staff will not r...
  • Identify appropriate quality control measures in IHC staining.
      • Use of Control Slides and Control Reagents
      • Immunohistochemical Antibodies and Suggested Tissue Controls
      • Optimization and Validation of New Primary Antibodies and New Lots of Ancillary Reagents
      • Antibody Diluents
      • Quality Control Documentation
      • Storage Considerations for Immunohistochemistry Reagents
      • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody has never been performed in your laboratory. You understand th...
      • Phala is preparing a programmed run on the automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining instrument. As she retrieves antibodies and the detection kit...
      • Which of the following statements best describes the functionality of positive tissue controls?
      • CD45 antibody for IHC staining has been optimized and validated in your laboratory. You have just received a new lot of CD45 antibody. You note the &#...
  • Troubleshoot and discuss factors affecting stain quality.
      • Systematic Approach to Troubleshooting
      • False-Negative Staining
      • False-Positive Staining
      • Background Staining
      • You are reviewing a MART-1 IHC stain on a section of skin. You observe overstaining in the section. You have verified that the automated IHC staining ...
      • Jack realizes that the most recent titer of CD15 he made up was done incorrectly and is too concentrated. What should Jack expect to observe upon revi...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for Histotechnologists, Histotechnicians, Medical Laboratory Scientists, and Medical Laboratory Technicians, as well as medical laboratory science and histology students, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Carla J. Shoffeitt, MSM, HT(ASCP), is the System Director of Anatomic Pathology for Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Management as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Troy University, Troy, Alabama. She is certified as a Histotechnician and has 29 years of experience in the field of Histology.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is currently an Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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