New genetic test can name a brain tumor in about two hours
Original title: New genetic test can diagnose brain tumors in as little as two hours
How far along is this research?
This is a news item, not a research finding.
It has been used in people during real surgeries, but it is not yet standard at hospitals.
The short version
A new lab test can tell doctors what kind of brain tumor someone has in as little as two hours, instead of weeks.
What was studied. Scientists and doctors built a very fast way to diagnose brain tumors using genetics. They used it during 50 brain tumor surgeries.
What they found. The usual way to classify a brain tumor takes 6-8 weeks. This new method cut that down to as little as two hours. The team used it during surgery, so the diagnosis came while the operation was happening.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Knowing the tumor type sooner could help doctors and patients plan treatment sooner. It may also mean less waiting and less uncertainty after surgery.
What it doesn't mean: This is not a treatment. It does not shrink a tumor or cure anything. It is a faster way to find out what a tumor is, not a new way to treat it. It was used in 50 surgeries by one team. It is not yet standard care that any hospital can offer. Ask your own care team what testing they use.
Source: ScienceDaily, May 21, 2025 · Read the original
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