SKIMS strengthens advanced cancer diagnostics & precision pathology services at the institute; installs 174-Marker Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Panel

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MARCH 09 (STC): Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has strengthened its capacity to deliver state-of-the-art diagnostic services to patients by installing an extensive panel of 174 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers. This is marking a major step in strengthening advanced cancer diagnostics and precision pathology services at the institute.
The facility was formally inaugurated by Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie Director, SKIMS and Ex-Officio Secretary to Government, in the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Pathology.
With the availability of a wide range of tumor- and disease-specific markers, clinicians and pathologists will now be able to achieve greater diagnostic accuracy, improved tumor classification, prognostication, and better-informed therapeutic decision-making for a variety of malignancies and other complex diseases.
The introduction of this comprehensive IHC panel significantly enhances the institute’s diagnostic capabilities.

The Director congratulated the Department of Pathology for establishing such an extensive diagnostic panel. He noted that the availability of advanced
immunohistochemical testing within the institute would significantly reduce the need for patients to send samples outside the region, thereby saving both time and cost while facilitating timely initiation of treatment.
He also stressed the importance of inter-departmental collaboration in improving diagnostic efficiency, particularly in the management of cancer cases, where timely and accurate pathological diagnosis plays a critical role in patient care.
Head of the Department of Pathology, Dr. Syed Besina, stated that the expanded IHC panel includes markers essential for the diagnosis and subtyping of hematolymphoid, epithelial, mesenchymal, and neuroendocrine tumors, along with several prognostic and predictive markers increasingly required in modern oncology practice. He further added that the facility will also strengthen academic research and postgraduate training, providing valuable learning opportunities for residents and researchers in the field of pathology.
Notably, the event was attended by faculty members, residents, and technical staff of the Department of Pathology, along with faculty from related departments including Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, General Surgery, and Clinical Hematology.

(Straight Talk Communications)