Researchers in East Africa tested a rapid blood test between August 2019 and July 2023 in Tanzania and Uganda. The study included children and young adults aged three to 25 years who were suspected of having lymphoma.
The test is a minimally invasive liquid biopsy that looks for tumour DNA linked to Burkitt lymphoma and uses a small blood sample. Compared with usual tissue biopsy, the new test cut median diagnosis time from 46.8 days to 6.5 days and allowed many more diagnoses within one week.
Researchers say the test is accurate and can speed treatment decisions, but it needs specialised sequencing equipment, reliable supplies and trained staff. Teams are working to build local capacity and plan clinical trials to try the test in routine care.
Difficult words
- lymphoma — a cancer that affects the body's lymph system
- biopsy — a medical test that takes tissue or fluidliquid biopsy, tissue biopsy
- tumour — an unusual mass or growth of body cells
- median — the middle value in a group of numbers
- diagnosis — the name of a disease after medical testsdiagnoses
- sequencing — reading the order of DNA building blocks
- capacity — ability or resources to do a particular task
- clinical trial — a research study that tests medical careclinical trials
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is a faster diagnosis important for patients?
- What local resources and staff are needed to use this test?
- Would you prefer a blood test instead of a tissue biopsy? Why or why not?
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