Rapid brain-tumour test could cut diagnosis time to two hours
NHS England says a new test can identify brain tumours while a patient remains on the operating table, potentially reducing diagnosis from about eight weeks to two hours. Scientists have described the development as “gamechanging”, and the test is being piloted at five centres.
A new test for brain tumours can be carried out while a patient is still on the operating table, according to NHS England and reporting by The Guardian. The test could reduce the time needed to reach a diagnosis from about eight weeks to two hours. Its ability to provide information during surgery could allow treatment decisions to be made earlier, although the supplied material does not describe the test’s precise method or its results in individual cases.
Scientists have described the development as “gamechanging”. They said it could help secure early treatment for patients who “do not have time on their side”. NHS England says the test is being piloted at five centres around the country.
The available information does not identify those centres, say how many patients are involved, or provide evidence on the test’s accuracy. It also does not state when a wider rollout might take place.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.