Pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3 and PCK26), IHC without Interpretation

Test Code

40040

CPT Codes
88342

Preferred Specimen

Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue

Other Acceptable Specimens

4-micron unstained slides • Fixed tissue

Instructions

Tumor paraffin block (formalin-fixed only) or five 4-micron unstained sections on Poly-L-Lysine or Silane coated slides. See Specimen Collection Section, Oncology. Ship at room temperature. Do not place paper labels with adhesive backing on slides. Use pencil or xylene resistant pen to write on the frosted end of the slide only. Pathology report is required.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Indefinite
Refrigerated: Indefinite
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Tissue in formalin

Methodology
Immunohistochemistry

Setup Schedule

A.M.

Clinical Significance

Anti-cytokeratin cocktail (AE1/AE3 & PCK26) is well suited to distinguish epithelial carcinoma from non-epithelial malignancies and is used to aid epithelial tumor classification. The antibody has been used to characterize the source of various neoplasms and to study the distribution of keratin containing cells in epithelia during normal development and during the development of epithelial neoplasms. This antibody stains cytokeratins present in normal and abnormal human tissues and has shown high sensitivity in recognizing epithelial cells and carcinomas.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.