The global radiotherapy market is experiencing steady growth as cancer incidence rises and healthcare systems increasingly adopt advanced radiation technologies for precise and effective treatment. Radiotherapy remains a cornerstone of oncology care, used in curative, palliative, and adjuvant settings across a wide range of cancers.
Valued at USD 6.23 billion in 2022, the radiotherapy market reached USD 7.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2024 to 2030, reaching an estimated USD 9.62 billion by 2030.
Key Factors Driving Radiotherapy Market Growth
Market expansion during the forecast period is supported by multiple structural and clinical drivers, including:
- Continuous advancements in radiotherapy treatment technologies
- Growing global cancer patient population
- Increasing initiatives to raise awareness about radiotherapy
- Rising adoption of particle therapy, particularly proton therapy
Together, these factors are strengthening the role of radiotherapy in modern cancer care.
Particle Therapy Gains Momentum in Cancer Treatment
Particle therapy, especially proton beam therapy, is emerging as a major growth driver within the radiotherapy market. Compared to conventional photon-based radiation, particle therapy offers significant clinical advantages, leading to increased adoption, particularly in developed regions with access to advanced healthcare infrastructure.
Key benefits of particle therapy include:
- Reduced toxicity and lower risk of short- and long-term side effects
- Minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs
- High precision targeting of tumors and cancer cells
- Lower exit dose, reducing the likelihood of secondary malignancies
- Viable treatment option for patients who have exhausted conventional radiation limits
The number of particle therapy centers is steadily increasing worldwide. For example, in June 2023, Tata Memorial Centre (India) initiated proton beam therapy treatment for pediatric cancer patients, highlighting the growing global footprint of this technology.
Market Restraint: Complexity of Radiotherapy Procedures
Despite technological advancements, the complexity of radiotherapy remains a major restraint to widespread adoption. Radiotherapy requires deep expertise across multiple disciplines, including medical physics, dosimetry, radiobiology, treatment planning, and radiation safety.
The introduction of high-precision techniques such as Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) has increased operational complexity due to:
- Advanced treatment planning software and imaging requirements
- Multidimensional quality assurance (QA) programs
- Extensive training for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and therapists
Additionally, modern linear accelerators (LINACs) require frequent QA testing, while cobalt-based systems face regulatory challenges due to radioactive source handling and safety concerns. These factors increase operational costs and limit adoption, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Market Opportunity: Favorable Changes in US Radiotherapy Payment Models
Significant opportunities are emerging from reforms in radiotherapy reimbursement models, particularly in the United States. The shift from traditional fee-for-service (FFS) systems to value-based payment models is encouraging cost-effective and outcome-driven cancer care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Radiation Oncology (RO) payment model, which:
- Bundles payments over a 90-day cancer care episode
- Covers radiotherapy services for 16 cancer types, including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, CNS, and gynecological cancers
- Reduces reimbursement variability while promoting care quality and efficiency
This model is expected to drive increased investments in advanced radiotherapy technologies, stimulate innovation, and support broader adoption across multiple cancer indications.
Key Challenge: Risk of Radiation Exposure
One of the most critical challenges in radiotherapy is the risk of radiation exposure to both patients and healthcare personnel. While radiotherapy delivers targeted doses to destroy cancer cells, surrounding healthy tissues may still be affected.
Potential risks include:
- Acute side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and skin irritation
- Long-term risks including fibrosis, organ damage, and secondary cancers
- Higher exposure risks in systemic radiotherapy and HDR brachytherapy due to strong per-cycle doses
Additionally, brachytherapy procedures involving applicators and after-loaders can expose technical staff to radiation if manual handling is required. Although precision techniques like IMRT, IGRT, and proton therapy reduce these risks, radiation exposure remains an ongoing concern affecting adoption and clinical decision-making.
Outlook: Steady Growth Supported by Innovation and Policy Reform
The radiotherapy market is poised for sustained growth as technological innovation, increasing cancer prevalence, and supportive reimbursement reforms converge. While complexity and radiation safety challenges remain, continued advancements in precision delivery, automation, and treatment planning are expected to improve outcomes and expand access. As healthcare systems emphasize value-based care and personalized oncology, radiotherapy—particularly particle therapy—will continue to play a vital role in comprehensive cancer treatment strategies through 2030 and beyond.
