IHC Ki-67 is an immunohistochemistry test that detects the Ki-67 protein in tissue cells to assess their rate of proliferation, or how actively they are dividing. It is commonly used in the evaluation of tumors and cancers, where the Ki-67 labeling index can provide information about tumor growth activity. The test is needed to help classify tumors, assess prognosis, and support treatment planning alongside other clinical findings.
The Ki-67 labeling index is the percentage of tumor cells that stain positive for Ki-67. It is usually reported as a percentage.
A higher Ki-67 percentage generally indicates a greater proportion of actively dividing cells and may be associated with more rapid tumor growth in certain cancers.
A lower Ki-67 percentage generally indicates a smaller proportion of actively proliferating cells. Its clinical significance depends on the tumor type and other pathological findings.
It can be associated with more aggressive behavior in some cancers, but Ki-67 should not be interpreted alone. Tumor type, grade, stage, and other biomarkers are also important.
No. Ki-67 is a proliferation marker and does not determine cancer stage. Staging generally depends on factors such as tumor size, lymph-node involvement, and spread to other organs.