In a groundbreaking medical advancement, British scientists have developed a revolutionary genetic test that can diagnose brain tumours in just two hours — cutting the standard wait time from six to eight weeks to same-day results.
Developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with clinicians from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the new test combines multiple diagnostic procedures into a single GBP 450 analysis. This radical breakthrough has the potential to transform the outlook for thousands of patients diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK.
Why This Matters for Brain Cancer Patients
Each year, around 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Current diagnostic processes require tumour samples to be sent to specialist laboratories, delaying essential treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Now, thanks to portable DNA sequencing devices, neurosurgeons can analyse tumours in real time during surgery. This means treatment decisions can begin immediately — reducing uncertainty and giving patients a clearer roadmap from the very start.
The software tool, called ROBIN, delivers accurate molecular diagnoses during operations. In a trial involving 50 brain tumour surgeries, the test had a 100% success rate in classifying tumour types and offering prognostic information.
A Faster, More Affordable Solution
Professor Matt Loose, co-creator of the technology, explained that the new test not only speeds up results but also reduces costs by eliminating the need for multiple separate analyses. “We’re getting more information from a single test, which is more efficient and more affordable for NHS Trusts across the UK,” he said.
Patients like Charles Trigg, diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, have already benefitted from the quicker turnaround. “The pace is phenomenal… I can absorb the information and start to plan for the next stage,” he said.
A Promising Future, But What About the Past?
This breakthrough marks a huge step forward in early diagnosis and patient care. However, it also casts a spotlight on past failings in the system.
At Hutcheon Law,we have supported many individuals and families where doctors failed to diagnose cancer in time, resulting in unnecessary suffering, delayed treatment, or avoidable deaths.
While we welcome these advances with open arms, we remain committed to holding the medical profession accountable when patients are let down. For those affected by delays in cancer diagnosis, legal help is available.
If you or a loved one has experienced a delayed diagnosis, please visit our dedicated page on delayed cancer diagnosis claims for support and guidance.
Further Reading on delayed cancer diagnosis and compensation claims in the UK against the NHS
1.Delayed Cancer Diagnosis Compensation:
https://www.hutcheonlaw.co.uk/claims/delayed-cancer-diagnosis/
2.Claiming Medical Negligence for Delayed Cancer Diagnosis:
https://www.hutcheonlaw.co.uk/blog/claiming-medical-negligence-for-delayed-cancer-diagnosis/
