The diagnosis of malignant epithelial cells typically involves a combination of histological and molecular techniques:
- Histopathology: Tissue samples are stained using techniques such as Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and examined under a microscope to identify characteristic features of malignancy. - Immunohistochemistry: Specific antibodies are used to detect proteins that are expressed by malignant cells, aiding in the classification and diagnosis of the cancer. - Molecular Pathology: Techniques like PCR, FISH, and next-generation sequencing are employed to identify genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities associated with malignancy.