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Researchers report that they have created a novel test which cuts down the diagnosis time for various types of brain tumors from weeks to mere hours.
Surgeons have referred to the "ultra-rapid" approach to genetic testing as a "game changer," indicating that it has the potential to enhance care and treatment for numerous patients.
The technique was created by researchers from the University of Nottingham working alongside doctors at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
The study has garnered attention throughout the UK, prompting other National Health Service (NHS) hospitals to establish their own tests parallel to current protocols in order to collect additional data on its efficacy.
A study released on Wednesday indicates that this technique has already been utilized in 50 procedures at NUH and has achieved a perfect 100% accuracy rate in identifying the precise kind of tumor.
Currently, over 100 different types of brain tumors have been recognized, and doctors must ascertain the specific type a patient possesses to decide the optimal treatment approach.
Historically, tissue samples from tumors are obtained during surgical procedures to be removed, analyzed, and inspected under a microscope in a pathology laboratory.
Although the procedure is largely correct, it may require up to two months to conclusively identify the kind of tumor.
Stuart Smith, a consultant neurosurgeon at NUH, stated: "Occasionally, after receiving the complete diagnosis from the lab, we discover it’s a tumor type that could greatly profit from what we refer to as more extensive surgery to eliminate all traces of the tumor, provided this wasn’t fully accomplished during the initial procedure."
Sadly, this often means that a patient might have to go through a second, or perhaps even a third surgery, to make sure every bit of tumor that can be removed with an operation has been taken out.
Nevertheless, the innovative method has yielded results within just 90 minutes, and Mr. Smith mentioned that obtaining a diagnosis could be done while the patient is still in the operating theater during their initial surgery.
This implies that surgeons could conduct more extensive surgeries when necessary.
Mr. Smith also mentioned that expedited diagnosis might enable patients to receive radiation therapy or chemotherapy sooner, and he noted that speedier assessments frequently decreased the stress patients experienced while awaiting their test outcomes.
He mentioned that it is a game changer.
Professor Matt Loose, a biologist from the University of Nottingham's School of Life Sciences, created the innovative technique with the help of software known as ROBIN.
He mentioned that with nanopore genetic sequencing, researchers can selectively focus on specific sections of the DNA for detailed analysis, providing quicker outcomes.
He stated: "Unfortunately, the majority of brain tumors are extremely aggressive, and waiting six to eight weeks, or whatever duration follows, for additional tests could be too lengthy for that patient."
We can obtain the results within hours now, and this process can occur during the surgery while the patient remains in the operating room.
Gemma's daughter Nancy was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged just one in 2023.
The child, who is now two years old, underwent two brain surgeries followed by intensive chemotherapy to stop the cancer from returning.
Gemma, from Castle Donington in Leicestershire, said: "From Nancy's first surgery to finding out what that tumour was, it was two weeks, and that was two weeks of pure hell and anxiety.
But to get it done so quickly might have spared her from needing additional brain surgery.
Nancy is currently in remission and has turned into the face of a national television advertisement for Young Lives vs Cancer , a nonprofit organization that assisted the family during her treatment.
Charles Trigg, residing close to Market Harborough in Leicestershire, received a diagnosis of an advanced glioblastoma tumor in April.
It was communicated to him that his tumor was as large as a golf ball.
The individual, aged 45, who has received treatment from Mr. Smith, stated: "Knowledge empowers, even if it’s information you’d rather not know; yet, this awareness provides clarity. Having such certainty genuinely simplifies life considerably."
The ability to swiftly retrieve data which enables a large group of individuals to perform thorough examinations seems like a remarkable fusion of science and medical practices.
The tempo is incredible, providing you with that sense of sureness and clear understanding, irrespective of your feelings about the data. While I cannot alter the data itself, what I can do is quickly assimilate the information provided, internalize it, experience it, and begin preparing for subsequent phases.
According to The Brain Tumor Charity, brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among children and adults under 40 years old.
Dr. Simon Newman, the charity’s chief scientific officer, stated, “Providing a precise diagnosis just hours after surgery will revolutionize treatment for all patients, guaranteeing quick access to the best possible care and—importantly—eliminating the ambiguity faced when waiting weeks for a diagnosis and prognosis.”
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, along with Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and King’s College Hospital in London, are now implementing their own tests of this new approach alongside their current procedures.
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Related internet links
- University of Nottingham
- Nottingham Hospitals
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