Researchers say a new test has been developed to reduce the time to diagnose brain tumor types from weeks to hours.

Surgeons have described the “ultra-high” approach to genetic testing as “game-changing people” and say it can improve care and treatment for thousands of patients.

The method was conducted by scientists from the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the NHS Trust (NUH) at the University of Nottingham Hospital.

The study has attracted interest across the UK, with other NHS hospitals working with existing regimes to establish their own tests to gather more evidence on their effectiveness.

A study published Wednesday showed that the method has been used in 50 operations of NUH and has achieved a 100% success rate in diagnosing the exact type of tumor type.

There are currently more than 100 identified brain tumor types, and clinicians need to determine the patient’s most effective treatment.

Traditionally, tumor samples are extracted during surgery under a microscope in a pathology laboratory for removal, testing and examination.

Although the process is mostly accurate, it takes up to eight weeks to determine the type of tumor that is diagnosed.

"Sometimes, once we have a full diagnosis from the lab, we realize that if we haven't had all the tumors in the first surgery, we call it a tumor that can benefit from what we call a more radical surgery," said Stuart Smith, consultant neurosurgeon at NUH.

“Sadly, sometimes this does mean that the patient has to undergo a second or even a third surgery to ensure that all tumors that can be removed by surgery have already occurred.”

However, the results of the new technology have recovered in just 90 minutes, and Mr Smith said the diagnosis is possible when the patient is still in the operating room for the original procedure.

This means that surgeons at the time will be able to perform more radical procedures.

Mr Smith also said faster classifications can enable patients to receive radiation therapy or chemotherapy faster, and faster diagnosis often reduces anxiety patients feeling anxious while waiting for test results.

"This is a game-changer," he added.

Professor Matt Lose, a biologist at the University of Nottingham School of Life Sciences, developed the new method using a software called Robin.

Using nanopore genetic sequencing, he said, scientists can study in detail what parts of DNA can produce results faster.

"Sadly, most brain tumors are incredibly aggressive and wait six to eight weeks, or how long, because each subsequent test might be too long for that patient," he said.

“Now, we can get results in a few hours and this can happen during surgery while the patient is still in the theater.”

Gemma's daughter Nancy was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2023.

Now the two-year-old has undergone two brain surgeries and then undergoes high-dose chemotherapy treatments to prevent cancer from recurring.

Gemma from Downington Castle in Leicestershire Castle said: “From Nancy’s first surgery to finding out what the tumor was, it was two weeks, it was two weeks of pure hell and anxiety.

“But doing this will soon save her additional brain surgery.”

Nancy is now relieving and has become a national television commercial for Young Life and Cancer, a charity that supports families during her treatment.

Charles Trigg, who lives near the market port in Leicestershire, was diagnosed with a Stage 4 aggressive glioblastoma tumor in April.

He was told his tumor was the size of a golf ball.

"Having knowledge is power, which is probably the worst knowledge you have, but it can determine certainty, and having certainty actually makes life easier.

“They have been able to get the data very quickly, which makes the large number of people making detailed comments feel like an amazing fusion of science and medicine.

“The pace is amazing, it gives you certainty and clarity, and I can’t change the information whether you like it or not, but all I can do is provide the information I get early – absorb it, feel it and start planning for the next phase.”

According to Brain Tumor Charity, Brain Tumor is the biggest cancer killer in children and adults under the age of 40.

"According diagnoses will adapt all patients within hours of surgery to ensure fast access to the best standard of care, and - crucial - critically - remove the uncertainty faced by patients with uncertainty while waiting for weeks of diagnosis and prognosis."

Queen Elizabeth Queen Birmingham, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London and King's College Hospital are now testing the method on its own with existing processes.