Breast Lesion Localization Methods Market

Market Overview

The global breast lesion localization methods market size was valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 4.2 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 14.1% during the projected period (2024–2032). Breast lesion localization methods are critical in the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, particularly breast cancer. Localization procedures aid in the identification and specific location of anomalies or lesions inside the breast tissue, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. The increasing prevalence of breast cancer is driving the global market for breast lesion localization methods. The number of breast cancer cases has increased dramatically. This is primarily due to the growing use of oral contraceptives, changing lifestyles, and a rise in the number of women getting cosmetic procedures such as breast enlargement.

Furthermore, the advent of technologically sophisticated products that are safe, accurate, and cost-effective is seen as a critical driver of the breast lesion localization methods market. Nonetheless, technical breakthroughs, improved public awareness of breast cancer diagnosis, and untapped potential in new regions all present promising growth opportunities. However, uncertainty in the regulatory clearance process is hampering industry expansion. Furthermore, the approval procedure is time-consuming and capital-intensive, making it challenging for small manufacturers and firms with limited resources to compete in this market. As a result, the global breast lesion localization methods market growth is stifled.

Market Dynamics

Global Breast Lesion Localization Methods Market Drivers

Increasing Incidence of Breast Cancer

The rising global incidence of breast cancer has increased the need for effective and precise breast lesion localization methods for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment planning. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women globally. In 2023, a projected 297,790 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, while 55,720 will be diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer (in situ). 

Breast cancer incidence rates have risen in several locations, including North America, Europe, and Asia, in recent years. According to the American Cancer Society, 313,510 new breast cancer cases are projected by 2024. The rising incidence of breast cancer highlights the importance of accurate and efficient breast lesion localization techniques for early identification, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

As the global breast cancer case count climbs, so does the demand for better imaging technology and biopsy methods that can precisely find and define breast lesions. This trend emphasizes the necessity of continued research and development in breast lesion localization to improve diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes. As a result of the increased incidence of breast cancer, the market for breast lesion localization technologies is predicted to grow.

Global Breast Lesion Localization Methods Market Restraints

High Cost of Advanced Imaging Technologies

Advanced imaging methods, such as 3D mammography and breast MRI, can be pricey. This cost may limit access for some patient demographics and healthcare facilities. An MRI scan costs between USD 150,000 and USD 3 million, including the technology and a specialized room. 3D mammography, also known as breast tomosynthesis, is a cutting-edge imaging method that delivers a three-dimensional picture of breast tissue, allowing for better visibility and detection than regular 2D mammography. 

Furthermore, the deployment of 3D mammography incurs significant upfront expenditures for healthcare facilities, including purchasing specialist equipment and additional training for healthcare professionals. A 3D mammography screening (tomosynthesis) typically costs between USD 149 and USD 853. According to a 2015 study, a 3D exam typically costs about USD 50 more than a 2D test. If digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) were utilized for all screenings, the total cost would be USD 5.4 billion annually.

Thus, the high initial expenses of acquiring and integrating modern imaging equipment present financial hurdles for healthcare facilities, particularly smaller clinics and those in resource-constrained environments. The high cost of contemporary imaging technology may limit access for some patient populations, particularly in regions or nations with inadequate healthcare resources. This may result in differences in access to cutting-edge breast lesion localization technologies.

Global Breast Lesion Localization Methods Market Opportunity

Global Cancer Initiatives and Collaborations

Global collaboration across healthcare organizations, research institutions, and government initiatives can help to develop and adopt standardized breast lesion localization methodologies, resulting in a more uniform and successful diagnostic approach. The World Health Organization has been actively involved in global efforts to address cancer-related issues, particularly breast cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a new Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework in 2023, giving a roadmap for achieving the goal of saving 2.5 million lives from breast cancer by 2040. The revised Framework, released before the World Cancer Day campaign, suggests that countries employ the three pillars of health promotion for early detection, timely diagnosis, and complete management of breast cancer to meet the targets. 

Furthermore, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been observed in October since the 1990s. In 2021, President Joe Biden declared October 17-23 Men's Breast Cancer Awareness Week. In 2022, 64 organizations participated in the Master course "Good Practices for Planning and Implementing Breast Cancer Projects" to learn how to build robust, evidence-based programs. In 2023, the course became self-guided, allowing for study beyond the live course. The training was based on a specific Project ECHO® focusing on Knowledge Summaries for Breast Cancer. It engaged 25 breast cancer organizations worldwide over six months to assist them in delivering more robust breast cancer control policies and programs. International collaboration ensures equitable access to critical cancer treatments, technology, and diagnostic methods, such as breast lesion localization.

Regional Analysis

Global breast lesion localization methods market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global breast lesion localization methods market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% over the forecast period. According to the American Cancer Society, one in every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Invasive breast cancer is expected to be the most frequent cancer in American women by 2023, with an estimated 297,790 cases diagnosed. It is projected that 13% of women in the United States will develop breast cancer. The United States In 2019, the total cost of screening 50% of eligible women for breast cancer in the United States was USD 11.5 billion. In May 2021, the FDA approved MOLLI Surgical's innovative wire-free localization technique for breast cancer surgery, allowing radiologists to identify tumors quickly and precisely while assisting surgeons in locating and removing lesions effectively. This innovative platform contains an implanted marker, detection wand, and viewing tablet to aid tumor location.

Furthermore, according to the National Cancer Institute, the average yearly cost of breast cancer treatment is USD 34,979 for initial therapy and USD 3,539 for ongoing care. The Canadian Cancer Society's 2022 projections predict that around 28,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Thus, the expected increase in breast cancer cases stimulates demand for diagnostics and surgical treatments for treating breast cancer, driving the expansion of the breast lesion localization methods market over time. 

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 14.7% over the forecast period. Europe is also a prominent Breast Lesion Localization Methods market, offering North America considerable rivalry. Breast cancer often costs between USD 20,000 and USD 100,000. Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Poland are the most severely affected countries. The increased prevalence is primarily attributable to a change in lifestyle, a lack of physical activity, alcohol usage, weight gain, obesity, a family history of breast cancer, and social changes such as having children after the age of 30, among other variables. Most developed countries in Europe, including Finland, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, have well-established healthcare infrastructures. These countries are likewise covered by the NHS, which offers healthcare to all citizens of the NHS system. As a result, the region boasts a significant concentration of cutting-edge facilities for cancer diagnosis.

Additionally, according to an Oxford University study, the total cost of cancer to the UK economy is 15.8 billion Pounds each year. As a result, these regions are experiencing an increased demand for breast lesion localization technologies. Furthermore, in October 2021, Wefra Life and Pink Ribbon Germany (a non-profit organization) started the Breast Cancer Affects Us All campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer and encourage breast care applications among the general public. Breast Care is a free multilingual app with multimedia content in seven languages, covering all elements of early breast cancer detection and prevention. 

Asia Pacific is predicted to have the quickest CAGR during the projection period, owing to rising disposable income, significant unmet clinical needs, and increased patient awareness of early detection. Furthermore, rapidly improving healthcare infrastructure and rising demand for breast-conserving surgery are expected to create a viable growth platform for the region. Factors driving the market include increased medical tourism in Asia-Pacific's growing countries. Breast cancer is a significant concern for women in the Asia-Pacific area. 

In addition, in 2020, Asia accounted for 45.4% of the 2.3 million breast cancer cases diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer rates are highest in Hong Kong, China, Japan, and South Korea, while lowest in Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Nepal. Japan is regarded as one of the top places for breast cancer treatment. Japan's healthcare system is renowned for its efficiency and superior technologies. The country provides some of the best breast cancer therapies, focusing on minimally invasive procedures and patient-centered care. 

Segmental Analysis

The global breast lesion localization methods market is segmented based on type, usage, and region.

The market is further segmented by type into Wire localization, Radioisotope localization, and Magnetic Localization.

Wire localization occupies a significant share of the market. By 2023, wire localization will account for 45% of the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 14.3%. Wire localization is a conventional way of directing surgeons to a specific location of concern in the breast. A tiny wire is put into the breast tissue to indicate the position of the lesion discovered by imaging, usually mammography or ultrasound. This approach frequently ensures exact localization during surgical procedures when the lesion is not palpable.

However, it may cause discomfort to patients. Nonetheless, the segment's rise is due to its cost-effectiveness and convenience of use by surgeons and radiologists during processing. Additionally, wire localization devices provide a variety of alternatives that may be connected to radiology imaging systems via guided wire. All of these reasons contribute to the growth of the breast localization device market.

Radioisotope localization injects a small amount of a radioactive substance, such as a radioactive seed or colloid, into breast tissue around the lesion. Doctors can use the radiation emitted during surgery to find and remove diseased tissue correctly. This procedure benefits non-palpable lesions and provides some patients with a more comfortable alternative to wire localization.

The market can be bifurcated by usage into Tumor Identification and sentinel Lymph Node Identification.

Tumor Identification generates the most revenue in the market. The tumor identification segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 13.5% throughout the projection period. Tumor identification entails pinpointing specific lesions or tumors inside the breast tissue. This segmentation is intended to accurately locate and guide surgical operations for palpable and non-palpable tumors. During surgeries like lumpectomies or mastectomies, surgeons use techniques like wire localization, radioisotope localization, and magnetic localization to mark and lead them to the exact position of the tumor. Accurate tumor identification is critical for successful breast cancer procedures, as it ensures that aberrant tissue is effectively removed while leaving healthy surrounding tissue intact.

Sentinel lymph node identification is a subset of breast lesion localization techniques focusing on detecting and locating the sentinel lymph node(s) associated with the original tumor. Sentinel lymph nodes are the first to get drainage from the tumor site, and their examination is critical for staging and assessing the amount of disease dissemination. Radioisotope localization and blue dye injection are frequently used to locate and direct surgeons to sentinel lymph nodes during operations such as sentinel lymph node biopsy. Accurate identification of these nodes aids in determining whether cancer has spread beyond the initial site, hence assisting in treatment planning and prognosis.

Impact of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted practically all industries worldwide. It also had an adverse effect on breast lesion localization methods market.  In the first two months of the pandemic, the number of outpatients, the frequency of doctor outpatient visits, the number of patients inwards, and the number of surgery procedures reduced by 80.3%, 50%, 70.6%, and 75%, respectively. This was primarily due to the fear of contracting an infection, stringent lockdown, a lack of public transportation, and a prohibition on interstate travel, among other factors.

All hospitals created extensive protocols for shielding potentially sensitive cancer patients under various scenarios, and non-urgent appointments have been rescheduled to reduce a specific cancer patient's exposure to any health care setting. On the other hand, patients with cancer have experienced delays in getting cancer care, such as follow-up clinic sessions and cancer therapy such as radiation, infusion therapies, and surgical tumor excision. The United Kingdom recently anticipated that delays in diagnosis and treatment might raise breast cancer mortality by up to 9.6% after five years. Hence, the need for breast lesion localization methods is increasing year by year.

Recent Developments

• January 2024- MOLLI Surgical announced the debut of new breast cancer localization and removable wire-free marker products. Introduced with two new products: MOLLI 2 and MOLLI re. markable.
• October 2023- Hologic announced an innovative collaboration with AAGL and Inovus Medical to optimize OB-GYN training for minimally invasive surgery.
• January 2024- MOLLI®, a cutting-edge breast tumor localization technology, is being introduced by Doctors Hospital to the Cayman Islands, marking a breakthrough advancement in breast cancer treatment.