European Seed Brachytherapy Market

The burgeoning seed brachytherapy market in Europe has been struggling with concerns such as high procedural and investment costs and an absence of local clinical evidence. Growing indications, however, of the overall cost and clinical benefits of seed brachytherapy, combined with increased patient awareness, is set to boost the growth of the technique, according to Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international growth consultancy company.

Currently, only a small number of centers in Europe provide seed brachytherapy, with less than one quarter of eligible prostate cancer patients receiving this treatment option. High investment costs, with a median of over U.S.$200,000, combined with usually low reimbursement rates for new, somewhat unproven technologies, have dampened enthusiasm for embracing this technique.

"While the investment costs may initially be high, the cost benefit must come from reduced treatment time and avoidance of further treatment costs,” commented Sheila Ewing, a Frost & Sullivan research analyst. Professed clinical benefits of seed brachytherapy in comparison to conventional methods such as external beam, intensity modulated radiation (IMRT), and prostatectomies, include faster and less invasive delivered treatments, consequently resulting in improved patient outcome. Furthermore, reduced treatment time, avoidance of overnight hospital stays, and faster recovery times are apt to underscore the cost efficiencies generated by seed brachytherapy.

The significant challenge for market participants is to show such cost and clinical benefits to both healthcare providers and end users. Up to now, European clinical trial findings comparing traditional radiation treatment to seed brachytherapy or surgery have been inadequate. Growing evidence, however, of several positive clinical findings from long-term studies performed in the United States is encouraging clinicians to review seed brachytherapy as a treatment alternative for breast and prostate cancer.

Pressed by European clinical trial results and improved distribution in European countries, revenues of the implantable prostate seed brachytherapy segment (comprising palladium and iodine isotopes) are predicted to expand from an estimated $14.0 million in 2004 to $22.7 million in 2010.

Limited treatment alternatives offered by clinicians for breast and prostate cancer combined with long waiting times for traditional treatments are motivating patients to evaluate potential options including seed brachytherapy. As early cancer diagnosis increases and long waiting lines for conventional radiation treatment persists, seed brachytherapy is expected to become a valuable treatment option for many cancer patients.

Possible applications such as head metastases, spinal, neck, and other cancers are set to boost market growth. Overall demand is also set to increase because of technical advances, a wider variety of methods, and growing acceptance of brachytherapy procedures.




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