A newly developed rapid test for brain tumours can deliver a diagnosis in roughly two hours, NHS England said, dramatically shortening the current average wait of about eight weeks. The assay is being trialled at five centres around the country and is reported to be quick enough to be used while patients remain under anaesthesia on the operating table.
Scientists involved in the work described the advance as "gamechanging", saying the speed of the test could allow clinicians to begin appropriate treatment much sooner for patients who are critically unwell or who "do not have time on their side". Faster intraoperative diagnosis may also inform surgical decisions made during the same procedure.
The pilot programme will assess how the test performs in routine clinical settings and whether its use can safely accelerate treatment pathways. If the trials confirm the reported turnaround and reliability, clinicians and health services will need to consider how to integrate the new technology into existing diagnostic and care workflows.
Clinicians have long sought methods to shorten diagnostic delays for brain tumours, where rapid intervention can influence outcomes and quality of life. NHS England’s announcement signals growing interest in technologies that can reduce waiting times and provide real‑time information to surgical teams, but the wider rollout of the test will depend on results from the current pilots and further assessment by clinical regulators and providers.