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Scientists and doctors at Newcastle are among the first in the U.K. to use a pioneering brain tumor test with the potential to speed up diagnosis for patients—from weeks to hours.

The new ultra-rapid test could improve diagnosis and treatment for thousands of patients with brain tumors, which can be aggressive and challenging to treat.

Brain tumors are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, according to The Brain Tumour Charity.

There are currently more than 100 identified types of brain tumor, and clinicians need to identify which kind a patient has to determine the most effective way to treat them.

Identifying the exact tumor type as quickly as possible is vital to ensuring patients receive timely, often lifesaving cancer care while reducing the stressful wait for them and their families.

Newcastle University, working in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals, is one of five specialist centers across the country forming a new network of excellence. Scientists and doctors will be "early adopters," gathering more evidence about the test's effectiveness for adults and children with brain tumors.

Dr. Jonathan Coxhead, head of the Genomics Core Facility at Newcastle University, said, "This is a fantastic opportunity to work with the Newcastle Hospitals team to help drive the adoption of this test in the NHS.

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