A Comprehensive Overview of Tissue Processing Artifacts in Histopathology

Abstract

Histopathological examination is regarded as the gold standard method for making a definitive diagnosis of a variety of human body abnormalities. However, it is constrained by a number of changes to typical morphological and cytological characteristics brought on by the existence of artifacts. Surgical removal, fixation, tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and mounting processes can all result in these abnormalities. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize frequently occurring artifacts while interpreting tissue sections histopathologically. The preferred method in histopathology is immunohistochemistry (ICH), which is a crucial auxiliary technique for pathologists in routine diagnostic work as well as in basic and clinical research, including the investigation of biomarkers, since ICH enables confirmation of target molecule expression in the microenvironment.

Immunohistochemistry is a technique that uses antigen-antibody interactions to detect cellular or tissue constituents (antigens). The site of antibody binding is recognized by directly labeling the antibody. The discovery of neoplasms associated antigen has not only made it possible to diagnose human cancer and other diseases more accurately, but it has also illuminated even the most immune-phenotypical heterogeneity of even the most closely related malignancies. Selected groups of target molecules of great significance in cancer biology are discussed. The methods and kinds used in histopathology investigations are described in the article review. Finally, the essay describes the artifacts found during slide evaluation along with the corrective actions.