Excel Diagnostics

Our Services

Excel Diagnostics total tests menu is divided into 4 main categories

Cytology

Cytology
Cytology is a branch of pathology which involves study of cells. We have high end Cytospin technology uses high spinning cytocentrifuge to increase more yield of cells suspended in body fluids for accurate diagnosis. Compared to tissue biopsy, a cytology specimen is easier to acquire and causes less discomfort to the patient. Also it is less likely to result in serious complications & Costs less. Various cytological investigations at Excel diagnostics include:

Body fluids and Washings
Brushing smears
FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology)
PAP Smear (Conventional as well as Liquid based)
Urine Cytology

Histopathology

Histopathology
Histopathological examination of tissues includes biopsy or organ/tissue samples removed from the body in the operation theater & it has to be placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin immediately for better preservation. This preserves the tissue & prevents autolysis. Various histopathological inestigations at Excel diagnostics include:

Breast Pathology
Gastro intestinal pathology (GI)
General as well as Oncological Surgical Pathology
Gynaec Pathology
Lymphoma
Neuro Pathology
Renal pathology (Medical renal diseases, Renal transplant)
Urologic Pathology

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique used to determine the presence and level of specific cellular proteins. IHC measures protein expression using specially labeled antibodies that can bind to the proteins of interest. The antibody is mixed with the cellular components of the lesion. After a set amount of time, the mixture is rinsed and only those antibodies attached to their protein targets will remain. The presence of the antibodies can be detected by viewing the sample under a microscope because areas containing bound antibodies will appear in a different color than areas lacking antibodies. Samples with more protein will bind more antibody and therefore appear darker. This allows the test to reveal not only whether a protein is present but also the relative amount of the protein. Test results are based on the strength of the staining and the percent of cells stained. IHC is helpful in determining cell of origin, nature of lesion and brings in lot of objectivity to this observation based speciality of pathology:

Breast cancer predictive markers (ER, PR, Her2/neu, Ki-67)
Cell blocks of fluid with IHC
Infectious Diseases: Viruses (CMV, EBV etc)
Lymphomas
Metastatic Tumors (unknown primary)
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Soft Tissue Tumor Panel
Undifferentiated Small Cell Neoplasm

Frozen Section Facility

Frozen Section Facility
Excel Diagnostics is the stand alone Speciality histopathology Centre in Pune which provides Frozen Section facility for rapid intra-operative tissue diagnosis. In this Pathology Test, a Small sample of tissue is taken from the patient during surgery and examined under a microscope for rapid diagnosis. The examination is done when the patient is under anesthesia in operation theatre. Preparation is most important. Tissue removed during surgery is to be placed in normal saline & sent immediately to the laboratory for Frozen Section evaluation. At least 2 Hours prior intimation is necessary for this testing.
We do frozen sections for:

Brain tumors for squash smears and frozen sections
Liver transplant
Oncology specimens for margins, sentinel nodes, primary diagnosis
Renal Transplant

Requisition forms:
Please note the following requirements for submitting a requisition

Verbal / Phone request for testing will not be accepted.
A requisition must be submitted along with every sample. Please assure all information is legible and all fields in the form are completed.
Please include a relevant medical history & clinically suspected diagnosis. Please name all previous malignancies, whether in the same or any other organ system.
Please give the precise anatomical site of the specimen. If there are multiple specimens, there should be a one-to-one relationship between the specimens listed on the requisition and the labeled containers.
Histopathology specimens with requisition are accepted only if recommended by Doctor.

Specimen Requirements:

Specimen submitted for histopathology testing must be submitted in a properly labeled container where label includes patient name & type of sample. Place the label on container & not on lid.
For multiple specimens, each specimen should go into a separate container, labeled with the correct anatomic site on label.
Use an appropriately sized container so as not to distort the specimen. The fixative must be marked on the container. Ideally, the volume of formalin should be at least 10 times the volume of the specimen; for larger specimens, the entire specimen should, at minimum, be entirely covered. (10% Formalin to be used to keep the specimen in container)
All residual histopathology specimens are destroyed 1 month after the final report is issued.
Tissue blocks are dispatched along with report & patients are instructed to retain those blocks for long term.

Turn Around Time:
The majority of "technical-only" special stain and immunohistochemistry slide stain requests will be completed and ready for pick-up or delivery at the close of the next working day. Please contact the lab with specific questions or concerns. The majority of small biopsy specimens are reported within two days of receipt. Large and unfixed specimens require additional fixation, and the reports are ready between 3-5 days of receipt of specimen.

Exceptions to ensure TAT (Delay possibility):
In the following situations, the report will usually be delayed further.

Specimen where the tissue requires de-calcification (e.g., bone, tooth etc)
Specimens requiring lengthy additional confirmatory procedures, like special stains and immunohistochemistry testing.
Specimen where the pathologist feels that a second opinion may be of benefit to the patient

In such cases, an interim report may be issued, or the consulting pathologist may discuss the case with the referring Doctor.

LIST OF IHC ANTIBODIES