NHS brain tumour test cuts diagnosis time to two hours
A new genomic test used during brain tumour operations in the NHS allows surgeons to determine a tumour’s type in roughly two hours, instead of waiting weeks for results. The pilot rollout is at five specialist centres, and it uses a sequencing device to read DNA from tissue samples in real time during surgery.
What changed
Traditionally, confirming a brain tumour’s type involved pathologists examining tissue samples after surgery, which could take many days or weeks. The new approach uses a portable DNA sequencing device during the operation to read the tumour’s molecular profile, providing a rapid diagnosis while the patient is still in the operating theatre.
Who is affected
The change affects patients undergoing brain tumour surgery at the five NHS specialist centres taking part in the pilot. Surgeons and pathologists gain faster molecular information to guide decisions during the operation. It also impacts hospital teams coordinating surgical workflows and post-operative plans based on the rapid results.
Practical next steps
For patients and families: ask your surgical team whether rapid intraoperative molecular testing is available for your case and how it might influence treatment during the operation. For clinicians: understand how the sequencing device is used, what results look like, and how these findings are interpreted alongside other tests. For the NHS system: monitor the pilot's effectiveness, including accuracy of diagnoses, impact on surgery duration, and any changes in post-operative care pathways. If results are positive, expect expansion to additional centres and broader use in brain tumour management.
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