SCIENTISTS at Newcastle University have made a breakthrough in the understanding of how a fatal brain tumour grows.

Experts have found glioma cells within the malignant brain tumour rely on fats to fuel growth, contradicting previous scientific belief that tumour cells require mainly sugars to make energy.

The new discovery has significant implications for understanding the behaviour of tumours and could improve treatments for this condition.

The study does not address whether nutrition or diet influence tumour growth.