The diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours is typically based on clinical symptoms, radiological appearance and often a histopathological diagnosis of a biopsy. However, treatment response of histologically or radiologically-similar tumours can vary widely, particularly in children. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique for determining the tissue biochemical composition (metabolomic profile) of a tumour. Additionally, the genomic profile, determined using DNA microarrays, facilitates the classification of tumour grades and types not trivially distinguished by morphologic appearance. We argue that this new information for classifying tumours along with clinical data, should be securely and easy accessible in order to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of tumours.

Experts within the consortium Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad de Valencia and University of Birmingham