Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a rapid test that can diagnose certain types of brain tumors during surgery. The new method has already begun to be used by the UK National Health Service (NHS), The Guardian reports.
The test was developed by specialists at the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Advanced Research in Brain Tumours. It provides diagnostic information in approximately two hours instead of requiring patients to wait several weeks for results.
Currently, in some cases, up to eight weeks can pass between the collection of a tumor sample and a definitive diagnosis. The new test could significantly shorten this time and is expected to help doctors determine the next steps in treatment more quickly.
This could be particularly important for patients who require urgent treatment. Receiving an accurate diagnosis earlier could also give some patients faster access to clinical trials of new therapies.
The developers describe the test as a major step forward in brain tumor diagnosis. NHS Medical Director Professor Franki Swords said the test could significantly change the way these diseases are diagnosed.
According to her, the ability to obtain results much more quickly could be particularly important for patients who cannot afford to wait for an extended period.
The researchers emphasize that the new method is not intended to replace all existing diagnostic techniques, but rather to accelerate access to crucial information about the nature of a tumor. Being able to obtain this information during surgery could potentially allow doctors to move more quickly from surgical intervention to subsequent treatment.
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