IHC, Cathepsin D Test

Cathepsin D is a protein, which is encoded by the CTSD gene, in humans. It is an estrogenic-regulated lysosomal which makes way for the migration and invasion of a cancer cell, by digesting the basement membrane, connective tissue, and the extracellular matrix. This test helps detect cancer, mainly breast cancer. The presence of Cathepsin is also useful as it responds well to hormone therapy.

Fasting or any other preparation is not required for this test. You need to let your doctor know about your medical history and all the medications you are currently taking. Depending on this, he might provide you a set of instructions, which you must follow.

This test is conducted to detect breast cancer. Levels of Cathepsin D is also known during this test.

A biopsy tissue sample is taken from the patient, which is tested using immunohistochemistry method for breast cancer. The results are obtained within 48-72 hours. You will be under the local anaesthesia during this test, so you will not feel any pain, apart from the slight sting of the needle used to inject anaesthesia.