In a tumour as complex as glioblastoma, the experience of the centre and the multidisciplinary team can change your outcome. Here's what to look for and how to get referred.
Not all hospitals have the same experience, technology or access to clinical trials. These are the questions that matter:
A committee where neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists and neuroradiologists meet regularly to discuss each case. This is the gold standard: it ensures no single specialist decides alone.
Ask: Does your hospital have a brain tumour committee? How often does it meet?
Centres that treat more brain tumours per year accumulate more experience. There is no magic number, but the difference between a centre that sees 10 glioblastomas a year and one that sees 80 is substantial.
Ask: How many brain tumour cases does the centre treat per year?
Intraoperative MRI (iMRI), awake surgery with cortical mapping, neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasound and 5-ALA fluorescence help maximise safe resection. Not every hospital has all of them.
Ask: What surgical tools does the operating room have? Does the surgeon use 5-ALA?
At minimum, the centre should perform NGS sequencing, MGMT methylation analysis and IDH testing. Ideally it should also offer a methylation profile and RNA-seq, or send the sample to a centre that does.
Ask: What molecular tests does the centre perform? Can the sample be sent elsewhere if needed?
A centre that participates in clinical trials offers access to treatments that are not otherwise available. This is especially important in glioblastoma, where standard options are limited.
Ask: Does the centre have open trials for glioblastoma? Which ones?
Since 2025, TTFields are funded by the NHS within a monitoring study. Not all hospitals are designated to administer them. If yours isn't, it's a reason to request referral.
Ask: Is this hospital designated for TTFields? If not, where is the nearest one?
This is an informational list of hospitals known to have neuro-oncology units, brain tumour committees or active clinical trial programmes. It is not a ranking, nor an endorsement. The fact that a hospital doesn't appear here doesn't mean it lacks quality, and appearing here doesn't guarantee it meets all the criteria above. Always verify directly.
This list is being compiled and will grow. If you know of a hospital with a neuro-oncology programme that should be here, write to us.
If your hospital doesn't have the experience or resources you need, you have the right to be treated at one that does. There are two main pathways:
The SIFCO system (Healthcare Information and Mutual Guarantee Fund) allows your medical team to refer you to a hospital of another region when your case requires resources that your community does not have. The costs are covered by your Autonomous Community.
You have the right to request a second medical opinion from another specialist within your region. Procedures vary by community. Ask the hospital's Patient Care Service or your social worker.
Important: the right to a second opinion is limited to your own Autonomous Community. For referral to another region, use SIFCO.
If your hospital lacks key resources (neuro-oncology committee, molecular diagnosis, clinical trials, TTFields), that is a valid and strong reason to request referral. Don't settle. Your life may depend on it.