A revolutionary ” ultra-fast” test has the potential to transform brain tumor diagnosis, significantly reducing the waiting period for patients to learn about their specific condition.
brain tumour
They have anywhere from weeks to just hours.
At present, patients usually face a waiting period of six to eight weeks to discover the specific type of their brain tumor. This novel “game-changer” diagnostic tool aims to evaluate the
DNA
From a biopsy of the tumor, experts were able to deliver results within roughly two hours.
Scientists from the University of Nottingham along with researchers from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust evaluated the novel test on 50 participants.
They said this means that patients can start treatment faster and the test may even help surgical teams while they are performing operations to remove tumours.
In publishing their findings in the journal Neuro-Oncology, the research team stated that the new test aligns with standard care procedures for “90 percent of cases.”
They said the new test can provide diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery, and detailed tumour classifications within minutes of sequencing.
Usually, medics have to send samples away to central analysis facilities for genetic analysis, with patients facing long waits to find out what type of tumour they have.
This long wait is “traumatic” for patients and can delay
chemotherapy
and
radiotherapy
, experts said.
However, the innovative technique named ROBIN (rapid nanopore brain intraoperative classification) could possibly eradicate this lag, they noted.
Professor Matt Loose, from the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences, created a technique for sequencing particular segments of human DNA with greater precision by utilizing Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ portable sequencers.
The team has now employed this technique to conduct genetic testing on brain tumor specimens.
“He noted that not only is this test more precise and faster, but it’s also less expensive compared to present techniques.”
Our estimates are roughly £450 per individual, possibly lower once scaled up.
More crucially, it provides outcomes to the patients whenever required.
Neurosurgeon Dr Stuart Smith, affiliated with the University’s
School of Medicine
and NUH, added: “Traditionally, the process of diagnosing brain tumours has been slow and expensive.
“With this innovative technology, we can now offer better care to patients since we can obtain results significantly faster, greatly enhancing clinical decision-making within just two hours.”
Individuals experience immense stress from waiting several weeks for their results, which exacerbates the anxiety and concern they already feel during these challenging times.
Symptoms of a brain tumour
NHS
Common symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures (fits)
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- vision or speech problems
He said the test was so rapid that it could even help surgeons during any operation to assist with their “surgical strategy”.
Dr. Simon Paine, a consulting neuropathologist at NUH, commented, “This innovative approach for identifying brain tumors promises to be transformative; truly groundbreaking. Not only does it expedite result delivery, but it also significantly enhances diagnostic precision.”
Dr. Simon Newman from The Brain Tumour Charity commented, “Providing an exact diagnosis mere hours after surgery will revolutionize treatment for all patients, guaranteeing quick access to the best possible care. Most importantly, this will eliminate the anxiety faced by patients who currently have to wait weeks for both their diagnosis and prognosis.”
The capability to merge numerous individual tests into a single assay and provide them locally represents a transformative step towards ensuring equal access to swift and precise molecular diagnostics.
The Independent has consistently maintained a worldwide viewpoint. Rooted in strong foundations of exceptional international journalism and analysis, The Independent now boasts a readership that would have been unimaginable upon its launch as a new entrant in Britain’s media landscape. In this era following the conclusion of the Second World War, for the very first time globally, principles like diversity, rational thinking, progressive and compassionate ideologies, along with international cooperation—the core beliefs upheld by The Independent—are facing challenges. Despite these obstacles, our publication continues to expand.
