Cancer Therapies Expand as Brachytherapy Gains Recognition

While the rising incidence of cancer is buoying the market for all cancer treatments, brachytherapy is flourishing as an economic, convenient, and effective outpatient procedure that can provide treatment customized to individual patient’s needs, according to a new market report.

Brachytherapy involves the placement of a radioactive compound inside or near the tumor. Also known as internal radiation therapy, the technique allows the physician to treat a small area with a higher dose of radiation in a shorter time than for external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Technologic developments such as three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning systems allow clinicians to administer very accurate and precise doses, resulting in a dramatic decrease in treatment and recovery times. Permanent brachytherapy involves the insertion of radioactive pellets inside or near the tumor to be left inside the body, while temporary brachytherapy involves placing a highly radioactive material inside a catheter or slender tube for a specific amount of time.

The brachytherapy devices market is expected to be driven by the increasing incidence of cancer, according to GlobalData (London, UK), a healthcare market research company. Brachytherapy is a highly effective, outpatient procedure that is easily tailored to patients’ individual needs, and offers many benefits to the increasing numbers of patients opting for noninvasive treatment options. Brachytherapy is a high-value treatment alternative, which costs considerably less than those for radical prostatectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

The positive outcome associated with temporary high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for gynecologic tumors have made brachytherapy conventional treatment protocol, and a similar trend of acceptance for the treatment of other types of cancer may drive future growth of the US brachytherapy devices market. Brachytherapy is currently used to treat prostate, cervix, head, and neck, skin and breast cancers, but the higher adoption of brachytherapy for the treatment of cancers such as brain tumor, liver cancer, and macular degeneration will continue to drive demand for brachytherapy devices in the future.

However, a more impressive track record would help to stimulate brachytherapy use, and defend the effectiveness of the treatment against opposing evidence. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association maintained that older women treated with brachytherapy suffer more complications and are at a higher risk of recurrence, and are more likely to require a mastectomy later in life. Additional research and more long-term studies are needed, therefore, in order to validate brachytherapy as a vital weapon against cancer.

The global brachytherapy devices market is forecast to grow from USD 268.2 million in 2011 to USD 322 million by 2018 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3%.

GlobalData is a global business intelligence provider offering advanced analytics to help clients make better, more informed decisions every day. The company’s research and analysis is based on the expert knowledge of over 700 qualified business analysts and 25,000 interviews conducted with industry insiders yearly.

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