World Market for Oncology Imaging

Introduction & Relevance

Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, underscoring the crucial role of advanced imaging in both early detection and treatment monitoring. Over the past decade, multi-modality oncology imaging—encompassing CT, MRI, PET/CT, mammography, molecular imaging, ultrasound, and more—has become integral to personalized cancer care. With continued innovation in hardware, AI-driven software, radiology services, and emerging theranostics, the oncology imaging ecosystem is ripe for significant growth and technological disruption.

While precision diagnostics can improve patient outcomes by guiding targeted therapies, the complexity of implementing and integrating these imaging modalities—especially across global hospital networks—remains a pressing challenge. Our pre-release analysis indicates strong procedural growth in key cancer types (breast, lung, GI, and prostate, among others), coupled with rising demand for hybrid imaging (PET/MRI, SPECT/CT) and AI-assisted workflow solutions. This broadens the market scope beyond just capital equipment to include services, software, and consulting—all designed to optimize oncology imaging pathways from diagnosis to treatment response assessment.

Target Release Date: Q3 2025

Market Snapshot

Drawing on in-progress interviews and secondary data, we estimate the global oncology imaging market at approximately $48.0 billion in 2023, spanning equipment (CT, MRI, PET, mammography units, molecular imaging systems), software (AI-based analysis, PACS, workflow tools), and services (consulting, imaging procedures, remote reading). We project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7.5–8% from 2023 through 2028, driven by:

Increasing global cancer burden, fueling higher imaging procedure volumes.
Enhanced reimbursement and screening guidelines (e.g., expanded lung cancer screening programs, routine mammography).
Surging interest in advanced modalities (PET/CT, MRI) for precise tumor characterization and therapy monitoring.

Breast: ~45 million mammography and diagnostic follow-ups
Lung: ~35 million CT-based screenings or diagnostic scans globally
Gastrointestinal (colorectal, GI tract): ~25 million imaging procedures (CT, MRI, PET)
Prostate and other: Additional 20–25 million combined across various modalities.

(These volumes and market figures remain subject to additional validation.)

Key Market Drivers

Multi-Modality & Hybrid Imaging
- PET/CT and PET/MRI usage is expanding, particularly in oncology centers that require metabolic plus anatomical detail for staging and therapy assessment.
AI & Software Integration
- AI-powered solutions automate lesion detection, segmentation, and treatment response analysis. Hospitals increasingly invest in advanced software to optimize workflows and manage heavy scan volumes.
Theranostics & Molecular Imaging
- Theranostic approaches (e.g., ^177Lu-DOTATATE for neuroendocrine tumors) merge diagnostic scanning with targeted radiotherapy. This synergy fosters growth in nuclear medicine equipment and specialized isotopes.
Emerging Markets & Screening Programs
- Rapid infrastructure growth in Asia Pacific and certain parts of Latin America yields new imaging facilities, while expanded screening guidelines in multiple regions boost procedure volumes for breast, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Services & Consulting Expansion
- Radiology groups, OEMs, and specialized consultancies provide comprehensive oncology imaging services (equipment planning, AI integration, remote reading for complex cases), adding new revenue streams beyond capital sales.
Precision Oncology & Companion Diagnostics
- As targeted therapies proliferate, functional imaging (e.g., PET biomarkers) is increasingly leveraged to stratify patients, guide drug choices, and measure response. This fosters close collaboration between diagnostic imaging and oncology drug developers.

Competitive Landscape

1. Imaging OEMs (Equipment & Software)

GE HealthCare: Offers advanced CT, PET, and MR systems with specialized oncology protocols, plus AI-based solutions for lesion tracking (e.g., Edison™ platform).
Siemens Healthineers: A leader in hybrid imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT), pushing AI-based syngo.via oncology applications for enhanced reading.
Philips: Known for digital PET/CT, MR-Linac solutions, and integrated radiology–oncology workflows (IntelliSpace Portal).
Canon Medical Systems: Expanding in high-end MRI (Vantage Orian), CT, and tomosynthesis for breast imaging; invests heavily in “remote service” coverage.

2. Specialized AI & Software Providers

Zebra Medical, Aidoc, Radiomics: Deliver AI triage, automated quantification, and progression measurement tools specifically for cancer imaging.
Varian (now part of Siemens Healthineers): Blends imaging with radiotherapy planning; stepping into integrated oncology workflow solutions.

3. Services & Consulting

Large Radiology Groups & Chains offer dedicated oncology imaging services, including remote second-opinion networks for complex tumor cases.
OEM-Led Services: Some equipment vendors bundle implementation consulting, workflow redesign, and continuous analytics support to maximize modality usage.

Emerging innovators are also targeting specialized niches like quantitative imaging biomarkers or fully cloud-based interpretation platforms, indicating that the competitive field remains in flux.

Sub-Segments & Integration

Given the multi-faceted nature of oncology imaging, this Marketstrat report analyzes:

Equipment (Hardware)
- CT, MRI, PET/CT, SPECT, mammography units, molecular imaging tools
- Distributors, capital purchase cycles, and installation base expansions
Software & AI
- Advanced analytics, lesion detection, workflow orchestration, imaging archiving solutions
- Integration with hospital IT systems, cloud-based PACS, regulatory approvals for AI
Services
- Consulting (equipment planning, ROI analysis), remote reading for oncology scans, and AI algorithm training services
- Cross-functional specialized centers (outpatient vs. hospital-based, local vs. cross-border)
Theranostics & Radiopharmaceuticals
- Isotope production, specialized PET tracers, and integrated diagnostic-therapeutic solutions

This breakdown ensures a complete view of how revenue is generated across multiple streams in the oncology imaging value chain.

Methodology & Frameworks

Our best current estimates are drawn from:

Primary Research:
- Reviews of surveys and interviews with hospital oncology imaging directors, OEM current and former employees, AI software specialists, and nuclear medicine experts.
Secondary Data:
- Cancer registries (e.g., GLOBOCAN estimates), imaging usage stats, equipment vendor financials, clinical guidelines for screening.
- Literature on radiopharmaceutical market adoption and expansions in functional imaging.
- Markintel Proprietary Models: The Markintel™ Methodology & Frameworks suite remains continuously updated to align with regulatory changes, technological breakthroughs, and shifting market conditions in fields like medical devices, pharmaceuticals, health IT, and beyond. Each framework targets a specific facet of market intelligence and GTM strategy.
- M³ (Market Momentum Matrix): Positions each sub-segment (equipment, AI, services, etc.) by current traction vs. anticipated growth.
- TDIT (Technology Diffusion & Impact Timeline): Predicts when advanced or new imaging modalities (PET/MRI, MR-Linac, specialized tracers) will become mainstream in leading cancer centers.
- Markintel™ TEM (Technology Evolution Matrix): Evaluates emerging innovations across key maturity stages to guide focused R&D and commercialization.
- Markintel™ ARC Index (Approvals, Reimbursement, Clinical Validation): Measures regulatory and reimbursement viability—critical factors in healthcare markets.
- Markintel™ GTM Growth Maturity Model: Maps a company’s go-to-market progression, offering clarity on optimizing channels and positioning.
- Markintel™ Opportunity Canvas: Merges various strategic models to prioritize new products, markets, or services based on readiness and potential returns.
- Markintel™ Scenario Planning (MSP): A phased approach to future-proofing decisions by examining multiple market outcomes and preparing agile responses.
- Other: Markintel™ Solution Adoption & Growth Potential Matrix, 360° Index, Value Creation Framework, Regional Readiness Ratings, and GTM Playbooks round out the suite, ensuring coverage of all critical market intelligence and expansion needs.

We expect final data to be refined as new feedback arrives from key markets and ongoing interviews.

Report Audience

Hospital & Oncology Center Administrators: Planning capital investments, evaluating advanced imaging expansions, or building comprehensive cancer care programs.
Equipment & Radiopharma OEMs: Seeking detailed competitive intelligence and demand forecasts for CT, MRI, PET/CT, nuclear isotopes, and integrated software solutions.
AI & Health IT Providers: Looking to embed analytics in oncology pathways, from screening to therapy monitoring, across multiple modalities.
Investors & Private Equity: Tracking growth segments in specialized imaging markets, considering M&A or strategic stake in imaging/AI providers.
Consultancies & Service Providers: Wanting data on remote reading for oncology, workflow redesign opportunities, or expansion into newly built oncology centers.

Report Details

Title	World Market for Oncology Imaging — Pre-Release Overview
Type	Markintel Horizon (Flagship, In-Depth)
Estimated Publication	Q3 2025 (Data Collection & Validation Ongoing)
Number of Pages	~200 (Subject to final updates)
Format	PDF (digital download, direct purchase)
Geographical Coverage	North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Market Segmentation	– By Modality (CT, MRI, PET/CT, Mammography, etc.) – By Use Case (Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment Monitoring) – By End-User (Hospitals, Outpatient Centers) – By Product/Service (Hardware, AI Software, Consulting)
Key Topics	– Global Cancer Incidence & Imaging Demand – Hybrid & Functional Imaging (PET/CT, PET/MRI) – AI Tools & Workflow Integration – Theranostics & Radiopharmaceuticals – Strategic Recommendations for Providers & OEMs
Methodology	Primary Interviews + Secondary Data Markintel M³ & TDIT Frameworks
Price & Licensing	Individual, Team, Enterprise license options

Disclaimer & Next Steps

This pre-release overview captures our best current estimates and segmentation approach for the Oncology Imaging market, spanning equipment, services, software, and theranostics. All figures and segments remain subject to additional validation based on ongoing research, analysis, regulatory updates, and the evolving landscape of cancer screening and imaging guidelines.

Request Sample Pages or discuss custom questions: Contact research@marketstrat.com
Upcoming Validation: We plan to incorporate updated global screening guidelines, new AI approvals, and feedback from radiation oncologists and nuclear medicine leads into the final Q3 2024 publication.

By exploring multi-modality equipment, AI-driven workflows, theranostic expansions, and specialized services, this Marketstrat report aims to give stakeholders—ranging from hospital administrators to tech innovators—a comprehensive guide to the dynamic and critical world of oncology imaging.