LPT Trustee helps to develop a quicker way for testing

One of The Little Princess Trust's Trustees has helped to develop a groundbreaking new way to diagnose brain tumours.

Stuart Smith, a Consultant Neurosurgeon (pictured above), was part of the team at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust behind the pioneering approach that has reduced the time taken to classify tumours from 26 days to as little as two hours.

The test, used by doctors to diagnose the type of tumour, should mean patients can start treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy earlier - and are spared weeks of uncertainty.

Stuart, who became one of our Trustees last November, said: “I am very proud to have been part of this exceptional team creating this rapid genomic testing which will save valuable waiting time for patients who potentially are being told they don't have time on their side.

“The ability to have detailed information about the tumour at the point when decisions are being made in the operating theatre is game-changing. In some cases, that can help us judge how far we should safely go while protecting healthy brain tissue.

“This gives us a glimpse of how brain tumour surgery could change in the future - with genomic information available during the operation itself, helping us make more informed decisions for each individual patient.”

Stuart, who is also a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, gave interviews to the national media today as news of the new approach to treating brain tumours broke.

Wendy Tarplee-Morris, one of the founders of The Little Princess Trust, congratulated Stuart on the successful trials that could bring major benefits to child and adult patients.

“We know from first-hand experience just how much knowledge Stuart has within the world of cancer research,” she added.

“We’re very grateful to benefit from this expertise as we continue to fund childhood cancer research of our own.”