New brain tumour test cuts diagnosis time from eight weeks to two hours

NHS England has announced that a new rapid brain tumour test can be performed while a patient remains on the operating table, significantly reducing the diagnosis timeline from eight weeks to two hours. The development is currently being piloted in five centres across the country, with scientists describing the innovation as “gamechanging.”

Proponents of the test argue that it could secure early treatment for patients who “do not have time on their side.” This capability to diagnose during surgery represents a major shift in the current medical process, allowing for immediate clinical decisions based on the results obtained in the operating room.