Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry, 6th Edition

By: David J Dabbs, MD

ISBN: 9780323721721

Pub Date: December 3, 2021

Reviewed By: Anna B Owczarczyk, MD, Ph.D. (University of Michigan Medical School) 

Description  

This sixth edition is a comprehensive yet concise guide in the use and interpretation of immunohistochemical stains, with each chapter addressing a surgical pathology area by organ system. The last edition was published in 2019.

Purpose  

The book’s purpose is to serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic reference, with an emphasis on how immunohistochemistry is integrated with clinical, genomic, and pathologic findings. 

Audience  

The book’s audience is quite broad: pathologists, oncologists, trainees, and researchers. 

Features  

The first two chapters focus on the techniques and development of immunohistochemistry, with up-to-date information regarding standardization and quality assurance. The final chapters address complementary techniques to immunohistochemistry: digital imaging and molecular techniques. The middle portion of the textbook is broken down into organ-specific surgical pathology disciplines and focuses on the role of immunohistochemistry within these fields. Each chapter is written to stand on its own, with minor areas of redundancy noted among chapters. The major organ systems/pathologic areas include infectious disease; soft tissue and bone; bone marrow/spleen/histiocytic lesions; lymph node and lymphomas; melanocytic neoplasms; carcinomas of unknown primary; head and neck; endocrine/neuroendocrine; mediastinum; pulmonary and pleural neoplasms; skin tumors; gastrointestinal tumors; pancreatic and hepatobiliary tract; prostate; bladder/kidney/testis; female genital tract; breast; nervous system; cytology; and pediatric neoplasms. Each chapter systematically addresses the diagnostic entities in its focused organ system, including detailed differential diagnoses, diagnostic algorithms, immunohistograms, and diagnostic pitfalls. 

The key diagnostic points are highlighted in summary tables after each sub-section. Where applicable, the contributors address any drug (or potential drug) targets and current biomarker guidelines. There are 1,500 quality color histologic images, with a plethora of charts and tables throughout the textbook. While the images are small-to-medium in size, they have great contrast and color, and are accompanied by clear captions. The tables regarding antibody specifications are very thorough, conveying information on uses, clones, vendors, sources, antibody titers, and types of antigen retrieval. 

Assessment   

This book has grown since the fifth edition to maintain its standing as a comprehensive text. Yet, it remains an exceptionally well-organized, highly relevant, and immensely useful resource for practicing pathologists, oncologists, pathology trainees, and scientists alike. 

©Doody’s Review Service, 2022, Anna B Owczarczyk, MD, Ph.D. (University of Michigan Medical School)

Doody’s Score: 92 – 4 Stars!

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