Rapid Brain Tumor Test Slashes Diagnosis Time for NHS Patients

A transformative new test being piloted by the NHS can reduce the diagnostic timeline for brain tumors from up to eight weeks to as little as two hours. This rapid genetic analysis aims to help patients begin crucial treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy sooner, alleviating prolonged periods of uncertainty.

The genomic test analyzes the tumor's genetic code, providing doctors with a precise understanding of the tumor type, which is essential as there are around 150 different kinds, varying from slow-growing to aggressive cancers, each requiring different treatment approaches.

Steve Palmer, 55, from Nottingham, was among the first to benefit from the technology. His diagnosis was confirmed while surgeons were still operating to remove his glioblastoma, a grade 4 brain tumor. "Getting that quick diagnosis removed weeks of anxiety," Palmer told the BBC. He added, "It wasn't the result I wanted to hear but it means I can get on with the next phase of treatment and recovery, and get on with fighting whatever it is I've got to fight."

Consultant neurosurgeon Stuart Smith, who operated on Palmer at Queens Medical Centre, described the test as "almost magical." He explained the traditional diagnostic process can take six to eight weeks for full molecular and genetic information, whereas this new method delivers results during surgery. This real-time information can influence surgical decisions: aggressive removal for curable types versus a more cautious approach to avoid damaging healthy brain tissue for other types.

The test involves sending small tumor tissue samples to a pathology lab. These samples are then prepared for a sequencing machine made by Oxford Nanopore. Specialist software developed at the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with hospital clinicians, analyzes the DNA passing through a nanopore to reveal the tumor's unique genomic fingerprint. In Palmer's case, the nanopore machine provided results in 20 minutes, identifying his tumor as likely glioblastoma.

Dr. Simon Paine, a consultant neuropathologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, highlighted the test's superiority over traditional microscopy, stating that the nanopore provides "comprehensive molecular classification" that surpasses his own diagnostic capabilities, even on a good day.

Approximately 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor annually, making it the leading cause of cancer death in children and individuals under 40.

NHS medical director Prof. Frankie Swords noted the significance of the test, saying, "For people with suspected brain tumors, getting the right diagnosis quickly can feel like a race against time, while waiting weeks for answers can be agonizing for them and their families." She emphasized that the test could "completely transform how we diagnose brain tumors," enabling faster treatment initiation and quicker access to clinical trials. It may also empower surgeons to make critical decisions about operative strategies while the patient is still undergoing surgery.

NHS England is piloting the rapid test in five specialist centers: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, King's College Hospital, and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Future plans include extending the pilot to sites in Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, and Manchester, building upon ongoing projects in Nottingham and Birmingham.