The radiotherapy market is growing due to several factors, such
as an increase in the number of new cancer cases and technological
advancement in the hardware and software used in radiotherapy. The
current international markets are underequipped to address new cases of
cancer. In low- and middle-income countries, only 10% of the population
has access to radiotherapy. Therefore, there exists a wide gap between
the demand and the installed base of equipment, which offers a huge
opportunity for the companies to grow in the radiotherapy market.
Expansion of the radiotherapy market can be both lifesaving and
profitable.
Effective planning for the treatment
It is necessary, and continuous technological developments are taking place to minimize the exposure to radiation of healthy tissue, in order to avoid any side effect. This goal is a driving force of R&D for radiotherapy. Software plays an increasingly significant role in cancer care. Population growth and increased life expectancy are adding to the incidences of cancer. The software & services segment includes software, which is used for treatment planning, analysis, and services, which are needed for the maintenance and efficient use of radiotherapy devices. The software & services segment of the companies are expected to grow, as software products help improve physician engagement and clinical knowledge-sharing, patient care management, and the management of cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers, and oncology practices for better performance. Companies like Varian are continuously increasing their software portfolio. Software plays an increasingly significant role in cancer care. At the same time, healthcare systems are subject to harsh budgetary constraints in nearly every country. As a result, healthcare providers face the challenge of achieving more while using fewer resources. To achieve this goal, hospitals have a strong need for software platforms that make radiotherapy treatment cost-effective. The development of effective software will improve the delivery of advanced radiotherapy in the future.
Introduction of new technology
Technology is another salient feature. Radiation therapy remains a significant modality for cancer treatment, which is the primary driving factor for the designing of new techniques to improve the survival rate of cancer patients. New technologies, like proton beam therapy, are available in developed countries like the United States, Germany, and United Kingdom, due to well-established reimbursement policies. Proton therapy can be used on tissues that are highly sensitive, like brain, spine, and eye tumors. It is more accurate, as compared to other X-ray radiation therapies.
Advancement in the technology is also helping to execute the planning of the radiation therapy.
Technological advancement in existing technologies, such as CT imaging, is making imaging more accurate and consistent. This can give a better representation of a tumor and help in better planning. Already-existing technology, such as IMRT, SBRT, IGRT, conformal 3D, VMAT, and others that are used for radiation therapy treatment is undergoing various advancements. For example, Varian is developing a software, which can be used to develop better planning tools, in which statistical models can be used to calculate the quality of an IMRT treatment for a patient. This is expected to increase the usage of IMRT for treating cancer. IGRT is the type of radiotherapy. Research is more focused on IGRT, in order to prove its fewer side-effects. IGRT may include electronic portal imaging, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT scan reconstruction, and respiratory gating technology. SBRT is also growing as an option for treating cancer. SBRT is used to escalate the dose to the targeted tumor, which can increase local control while limiting the dose to nearby critical structures and normal tissues. This will cause minimum damage to the surrounding tissues and hence, will experience strong growth in the forecast period.
Internal radiation therapy holds a low share in the radiotherapy market. Containing Yttrium 90, a radioactive substance, this is also an emerging technology. There are only two manufacturers that provide commercialized forms of SIRT, as of April 2015. SIRT is becoming more of a mainstream treatment; other manufacturers are actively looking toward its marketing, resulting in the growth of the internal radiation therapy segment. However, SIRT is not yet widely available in the United Kingdom.
Internal radiation therapy is more precise in targeting cancerous cells because it is placed near a tumor, which reduces the risk of damaging healthy tissues and organs, thereby contributing to the growth of the internal radiation therapy market segment.
To increase the market share, companies are constantly investing in R&D. The positive results of this extensive R&D and strategic partnerships can help the companies gain a significant boost in the emerging field of radiotherapy.
Effective planning for the treatment
It is necessary, and continuous technological developments are taking place to minimize the exposure to radiation of healthy tissue, in order to avoid any side effect. This goal is a driving force of R&D for radiotherapy. Software plays an increasingly significant role in cancer care. Population growth and increased life expectancy are adding to the incidences of cancer. The software & services segment includes software, which is used for treatment planning, analysis, and services, which are needed for the maintenance and efficient use of radiotherapy devices. The software & services segment of the companies are expected to grow, as software products help improve physician engagement and clinical knowledge-sharing, patient care management, and the management of cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers, and oncology practices for better performance. Companies like Varian are continuously increasing their software portfolio. Software plays an increasingly significant role in cancer care. At the same time, healthcare systems are subject to harsh budgetary constraints in nearly every country. As a result, healthcare providers face the challenge of achieving more while using fewer resources. To achieve this goal, hospitals have a strong need for software platforms that make radiotherapy treatment cost-effective. The development of effective software will improve the delivery of advanced radiotherapy in the future.
Introduction of new technology
Technology is another salient feature. Radiation therapy remains a significant modality for cancer treatment, which is the primary driving factor for the designing of new techniques to improve the survival rate of cancer patients. New technologies, like proton beam therapy, are available in developed countries like the United States, Germany, and United Kingdom, due to well-established reimbursement policies. Proton therapy can be used on tissues that are highly sensitive, like brain, spine, and eye tumors. It is more accurate, as compared to other X-ray radiation therapies.
Advancement in the technology is also helping to execute the planning of the radiation therapy.
Technological advancement in existing technologies, such as CT imaging, is making imaging more accurate and consistent. This can give a better representation of a tumor and help in better planning. Already-existing technology, such as IMRT, SBRT, IGRT, conformal 3D, VMAT, and others that are used for radiation therapy treatment is undergoing various advancements. For example, Varian is developing a software, which can be used to develop better planning tools, in which statistical models can be used to calculate the quality of an IMRT treatment for a patient. This is expected to increase the usage of IMRT for treating cancer. IGRT is the type of radiotherapy. Research is more focused on IGRT, in order to prove its fewer side-effects. IGRT may include electronic portal imaging, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, CT scan reconstruction, and respiratory gating technology. SBRT is also growing as an option for treating cancer. SBRT is used to escalate the dose to the targeted tumor, which can increase local control while limiting the dose to nearby critical structures and normal tissues. This will cause minimum damage to the surrounding tissues and hence, will experience strong growth in the forecast period.
Internal radiation therapy holds a low share in the radiotherapy market. Containing Yttrium 90, a radioactive substance, this is also an emerging technology. There are only two manufacturers that provide commercialized forms of SIRT, as of April 2015. SIRT is becoming more of a mainstream treatment; other manufacturers are actively looking toward its marketing, resulting in the growth of the internal radiation therapy segment. However, SIRT is not yet widely available in the United Kingdom.
Internal radiation therapy is more precise in targeting cancerous cells because it is placed near a tumor, which reduces the risk of damaging healthy tissues and organs, thereby contributing to the growth of the internal radiation therapy market segment.
To increase the market share, companies are constantly investing in R&D. The positive results of this extensive R&D and strategic partnerships can help the companies gain a significant boost in the emerging field of radiotherapy.