Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusions can be targeted with specific inhibitors, and translocation analysis using immunohistochemistry or Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridisation (FISH) is now standard alongside EGFR mutation analysis to determine 1st line treatment for lung NSCLC. In addition to ALK analysis.
Please note tissue handling, tissue fixation, time between cutting and staining and excessive drying can lead to loss of expression. Fixatives containing alcohol should not be used and use of Bouin’s fixative will preclude testing by FISH methods.
A copy of the original Pathology report where possible.