Radiation Dose Management Market

Market Overview

The global radiation dose management market size was valued at USD 771.2 million in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 2.6 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The increasing number of medical imaging procedures worldwide drives growth in the global radiation dose management market.

Radiation dose management is the act of monitoring, recording, and optimizing radiation doses given to patients during medical imaging procedures such as X-rays, computed tomography (C.T.) scans, fluoroscopy, and interventional radiology. The purpose of radiation dose control is to protect patients by reducing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic picture quality.

The strong growth of the worldwide market for radiation dose management can also be due to rising patient safety concerns, tight federal and state laws, healthcare provider obligations, and expanding healthcare infrastructure in developing countries. Furthermore, developments in radiation equipment, as well as the increasing use of radiation dose management by patients and healthcare professionals, will be essential growth factors for the market in the future. 

Furthermore, the rising incidence of cancer is expected to drive the worldwide market for radiation dose management . Cancer is the world's second most significant cause of death, and it is quickly increasing as a result of factors such as excessive drinking, smoking, and poor lifestyles. Interventional oncology devices diagnose and treat cancer and help surgeons build effective treatment strategies. The rapid adoption of new technologies has the potential to enhance demand for interventional oncology equipment, hence driving the worldwide radiation dose management market growth. Growing demand for less invasive surgeries will contribute significantly to market growth.

Highlights

• Radiography and Mammography contribute significantly to the procedure market.
• Orthopedics is the most applied in the market based on application.
• Diagnostic Centers led the market by end-user.

Market Dynamics

Global Radiation Dose Management Market Drivers:

Growing Utilization of Medical Imaging

The expanding frequency of chronic diseases, combined with advances in medical imaging technologies, has resulted in greater use of imaging modalities such as computed tomography (C.T.), fluoroscopy, and interventional radiology procedures. This increased usage of medical imaging results in greater radiation exposure for patients, fueling the demand for radiation dose management systems. According to OECD data, the number of C.T. and MRI exams performed per capita is steadily increasing in many countries. In 2023, the U.S. is expected to execute 74 million C.T. operations, accounting for approximately 18% of the global total. This has risen from three million scans annually in the 1980s, demonstrating the increasing importance of C.T. scan results. This trend suggests a growing reliance on medical imaging for diagnostic purposes, contributing to increased radiation exposure.

Furthermore, because of their smaller body size and increased tissue sensitivity, pediatric patients are especially prone to the harmful consequences of radiation exposure. Efforts to reduce radiation exposure in pediatric imaging have resulted in developing specialized imaging methods and dose-reduction strategies. Despite these measures, pediatric imaging volume continues to rise. According to a 2020 study, sophisticated imaging, such as computed tomography (C.T.), increased in pediatric emergency rooms in the United States from 6.4% in 2009 to 8.7% in 2018. C.T. scans have decreased from 3.9% to 2.9%; ultrasonography has increased from 2.5% to 5.8%, and magnetic resonance imaging has risen from 0.3% to 0.6%. Interventional radiology procedures like angiography, cardiac catheterization, and fluoroscopically guided interventions are essential for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions. These procedures frequently require longer fluoroscopy sessions and higher radiation doses. As the demand for interventional treatments increases, so does the need for effective radiation dose control technologies to maintain patient safety and optimize radiation doses. 

Global Radiation Dose Management Market Restraints:

Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Radiation dose management solutions require collecting, storing, and analyzing sensitive patient information, such as radiation exposure history and medical imaging records. To protect patient information, healthcare providers must follow strict data privacy standards, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. Ensuring data security and protecting against unwanted access or breaches necessitates strong cybersecurity safeguards and continuous monitoring, which adds complexity and potential compliance difficulties for healthcare businesses.

In addition, in 2023, healthcare data breaches affected approximately 133 million people, more than double the amount affected in 2022. The average global cost of a data breach in 2023 was USD 4.45 million, up 2.25% from 2022. East River Medical Imaging (ERMI) in New York may have been the data breach target between August 31, 2023, and September 20, 2023. Hackers may have used the MOVEit tool to get access to ERMI data systems and copy personal information such as names, contact information, insurance information, medical information, social security numbers, financial account information, and driver's license information. The breach affected 606,000 patients, and ERMI sent notice letters to those affected on November 22, 2023. According to IBM Security research, the average cost of a healthcare data breach in 2023 is approximately USD 11 million, the most among all industries. This is about twice the average cost of the next largest industry.

However, experts estimate that breaches in the United States cost around USD 20 million. Ransomware attacks, in which attackers encrypt data and demand payment to decrypt it, have become a big worry for healthcare businesses, resulting in downtime, financial losses, and brand damage. Strong encryption and access restrictions are critical for protecting patient data from unauthorized access or interception. Encryption protects data at rest and in transit, guaranteeing that information remains unreadable to unauthorized parties even if intercepted. Access controls limit access to sensitive information based on user roles and permissions, exposing it only to those who need it to accomplish their job obligations. 

Global Radiation Dose Management Market Opportunity:

Technological Advancement

Continuous breakthroughs in medical imaging technologies, such as imaging modalities, software algorithms, and dose monitoring capabilities, drive innovation in radiation dose management solutions. A.I. and ML algorithms transform radiation dosage management by allowing real-time exposure monitoring, tailored dose adjustment, and predictive analytics. These algorithms use massive datasets of patient radiation exposure history, imaging parameters, and clinical outcomes to detect patterns, trends, and potential dangers. For example, AI-powered dose monitoring software may calculate patient-specific radiation doses and notify clinicians of deviations from recommended limits. According to Forbes, the worldwide A.I. in the healthcare industry was worth USD 22.45 billion in 2023. 

Moreover, medical imaging techniques such as computed tomography (C.T.), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have seen technological breakthroughs that increase image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and radiation dose reduction capabilities. For example, iterative reconstruction techniques and dose modulation algorithms in C.T. scanners allow healthcare professionals to obtain high-quality images with reduced radiation doses. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), low-dose C.T. protocols significantly reduce radiation exposure for patients undergoing C.T. scans.

Regional Analysis

The global radiation dose management market share is bifurcated into conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global radiation dose management market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% over the forecast period. Patient safety guidelines during radiology practices, which cover exposure to ionizing radiation, help to drive the expansion of these software solutions in the region. Furthermore, the high volume of nuclear medicine procedures in the United States and the availability of SPECT cameras are projected to boost market expansion in North America. According to the World Nuclear Association, in July 2023, there were more than 20.0 million nuclear procedures in the United States, with around 10.0 million in Europe. 

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 15.2% over the forecast period. Europe had the second-largest market share in 2023, owing to an increased emphasis on radiation protection education and training and the adoption of radiation dose management software. Furthermore, leading companies' endeavors to broaden the reach of their products are expected to drive radiation dose management market growth in Europe. 

The Asia-Pacific market will likely develop at the fastest CAGR in the coming years. The region's highest CAGR is related to growing awareness of radiation dose management software, driving increased usage. Furthermore, rising healthcare spending in the area will likely propel the industry forward. According to the Economic Times, India's public healthcare expenditure in February 2023 was 2.1% of GDP in 2022, up from 1.8% in 2021 and 1.3% the previous year. 

In the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, revenue growth will likely be slower throughout the forecast period. The increase is ascribed to a need for more healthcare infrastructure and decreased healthcare investment, leading to fewer radiation management software implementations.

Segmental Analysis

The global radiation dose management market is segmented based on procedure, application, and end-user.

The market is further segmented by procedure into Computed Tomography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiography and Mammography, Fluoroscopy and Interventional Imaging.

Radiography and Mammography accounted for most of the worldwide radiation dose management market share. Radiography and Mammography use X-rays to create two-dimensional images of specific body components such as the chest, bones, and breasts. These imaging modalities are commonly used to screen, diagnose, and monitor a variety of medical disorders, such as fractures, lung illnesses, and breast cancer. Radiation dose management in radiography and Mammography includes controlling exposure parameters such as tube voltage and current to obtain diagnostic image quality with the lowest radiation dosage for the patient.

Furthermore, ongoing equipment calibration, quality control procedures, and technologist training are required to maintain dose optimization and image quality standards. This dominance was linked to the increased use of mammography software to reduce the chance of contracting cancer. For example, according to NHS England data from January 2023, plain radiography (x-ray) was the most common (1.65 million), followed by diagnostic ultrasonography (0.81 million), computerized axial tomography (0.52 million), and magnetic resonance imaging (0.31 million). 

The nuclear medicine segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast period. Nuclear medicine imaging is administering radioactive tracers, which generate gamma rays detected by specialized cameras, resulting in images of interior organs and physiological processes. Standard nuclear medicine techniques include PET, SPECT, and bone scans. While atomic medicine treatments often require lower radiation doses than C.T. scans, appropriate dose management is still needed to reduce patient exposure and improve picture quality.

Additionally, Nuclear medicine dose control strategies may include optimizing tracer doses, establishing appropriate imaging protocols, and implementing quality assurance programs to ensure accurate picture interpretation. This growth is due to an increase in the number of SPECT and PET scan operations worldwide. For example, more than 40.0 million single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scan operations are performed yearly, with the need for radioisotopes rising by up to 5.0%.

The market can be bifurcated by application into Oncology, Orthopedics, Cardiology, and Neurology.

The orthopedics segment held the most significant market share. In orthopedics, X-ray imaging is frequently used to diagnose and monitor musculoskeletal diseases such as fractures, arthritis, and joint injuries. Orthopedic procedures may include diagnostic radiography and fluoroscopically guided interventions, such as joint injections, arthrography, and orthopedic surgery. Radiation dose control in orthopedics focuses on optimizing imaging procedures and techniques to get diagnostic pictures with the least amount of radiation while keeping appropriate image quality for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Orthopedic surgeons use digital radiography, low-dose fluoroscopy modes, and dose-reduction filters to reduce patient radiation exposure during imaging operations.

In addition, the benefits of these goods in protecting patients and orthopedic surgeons during surgeries are expected to drive market expansion. Fluoroscopic techniques provide significant advantages in orthopedic surgery, but they expose patients to radiation, which can cause skin irritation, infertility, and cataracts. Furthermore, the increasing number of trauma cases and sports injuries fuels the expansion of orthopedic operations, which pushes the use of these items during these procedures. For example, according to Injury Facts data from 2022, approximately 3.6 million people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by sports and recreational equipment. 

The oncology segment is expected to have the greatest CAGR over the projection period. The increase is attributable to the rising need for non-invasive diagnostic technologies such as diagnostic imaging, which includes C.T. scans. Ionizing radiation can exacerbate circumstances when used for tumor identification regularly. For example, a single chest C.T. scan for lung cancer detection yields 100 to 800 X-rays. As a result, the growing need to install this software in computed tomography (C.T.) scan systems is propelling market expansion.

Based on end-users, the market is fragmented into Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, and Diagnostic Centers.

The diagnostic centers segment held the most significant market share and is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Diagnostic centers, which include independent imaging facilities and radiology clinics, play an essential role in providing outpatient diagnostic imaging services to patients. These facilities offer a variety of imaging modalities, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and nuclear medicine scans, to diagnose various medical disorders. 

Moreover, the increasing number of diagnostic facilities worldwide drives the segment's growth. Patient visits to diagnostic centers are increasing since outpatient services enable a more individualized approach, potentially leading to better dosage optimization tactics. For example, HealthValue Group reported in April 2023 that there were approximately 6,000 standalone outpatient diagnostic imaging centers in the United States. 

The hospitals and specialty clinics sector generated significant market revenue. The increasing number of imaging scans, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan techniques for diagnostics that use radioisotopes are driving the segment's expansion. According to the World Nuclear Association, in July 2023, more than 10,000 hospitals worldwide used radioisotopes in medicine, with over 90.0% of the treatments being diagnostic.

Recent Developments

• March 2024- Bayer and Aignostics collaborated on next-generation precision oncology.
• February 2024- Varian, a Siemens Healthineers firm, stated that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for TrueBeam and Edge radiation systems with the HyperSight imaging technology.
• March 2024- FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO, Representative Director: Teiichi Goto) announced the release of the "FUJINON HZK24-300mm" (nicknamed Duvo Portable), the first portable model in the Duvo series of broadcast zoom lenses that offers both cinematic visual expressions and broadcast lens operation.