A new medical test is offering hope for faster brain tumour diagnosis, potentially reducing the time patients and doctors must wait for important information about a tumour’s characteristics.

Traditional diagnosis can involve complex laboratory analysis after surgery, with results sometimes taking several weeks. Researchers are working on methods that could deliver crucial information much more quickly, helping medical teams make treatment decisions sooner.

New Test Could Deliver Results During Surgery

The rapid genomic test, developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, analyses DNA from a small sample of tumour tissue. It uses a portable sequencing machine developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies to identify the tumour’s genetic characteristics.

The technology can provide results in under two hours, compared with the six to eight weeks that traditional molecular testing may require. In some cases, surgeons can receive information while an operation is still underway, helping them determine how much tumour tissue can safely be removed.

NHS Expands Testing Pilot

NHS England is introducing the technology at five specialist centres across England, with plans to expand to additional hospitals. The pilot aims to assess how rapid genomic testing can be integrated into routine patient care.

Faster diagnosis could allow patients to begin appropriate treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, sooner. It may also help people access clinical trials that require detailed information about a tumour’s genetic profile.

While the test represents a promising development in brain tumour care, its wider adoption will depend on clinical evaluation and the ability to implement the technology consistently across hospitals.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr3wj04d88ywo