The Head and Neck Cancer Diagnostics Market size is estimated at USD 5.73 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 9.92 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.62% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare systems globally and significantly impacted the head and neck cancer diagnosis market. For instance, as per the article published in the Sage Journal in December 2021, approximately 88% of cancer centers across 54 countries reported difficulties in providing care, suggesting the pandemic's significant impact on cancer care. Early in the pandemic, there were proponents of delaying care for patients with mild symptoms of head and neck cancers (HNCs), given the vulnerability of this patient population to pulmonary complications associated with the virus. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the head and neck cancer diagnostics market. However, since the lockdown restrictions were lifted, the industry has been recovering well. Post-pandemic, the market is expected to gain traction over the coming years because of declining COVID-19 cases and the resumption of hospital services.
The growing burden of head and neck cancer and the rising geriatric population are expected to propel the market's growth over the forecast period. Oropharyngeal cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer. It can affect several areas in and around the mouth, including the lips and tongue. According to the 2022 American Cancer Society Report, there were around 11 230 fatal cases and 54,000 new cases of the oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer, respectively, in the United States. Thus, the increasing prevalence of head and neck cancer is expected to raise demand for its early diagnosis, thereby boosting the market's growth over the forecast period.
Additionally, a growing number of diagnostic procedures for head and neck cancer is expected to propel the growth of the market. Endoscopy, head MRI, CT of the sinuses, head CT, panoramic dental x-ray, dental cone beam CT, PET/CT, or chest imaging is utilized to confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine the spread of malignancy. The increased adoption of these diagnostic techniques is expected to boost market growth over the forecast period. For instance, according to the study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology in November 2022, CT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT all play essential roles in the diagnosis, staging, therapy planning, and monitoring of head and neck cancers. Thus, the availability of several diagnostic techniques for head and neck cancer is expected to propel the growth of the market.
Moreover, various strategies taken by research institutes to increase awareness about head and neck cancer are expected to support market growth. For instance, in May 2021, the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) and PDS Biotechnology Corporation established a collaboration. This cooperation aims to improve knowledge of novel and developing treatment options for individuals with HPV-related head and neck cancer diagnoses, including available clinical trials.
Thus, all the factors above, such as the growing burden of head and neck cancer, are expected to boost the market over the forecast period. However, the high cost of diagnostic devices and reimbursement issues may restrain the market's growth.
In cancer care, diagnostic imaging has many benefits, including real-time monitoring, accessibility without destroying tissue, low or no invasiveness, and higher accuracy. Diagnostics Imaging is the technique and process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as a visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues (physiology). Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that usually originate in the squamous cells that line the mouth, nose, and throat. To confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine if it has spread, head MRI, CT of the sinuses, head CT, panoramic dental x-ray, dental cone beam CT, PET/CT, or chest imaging are some of the most common procedures.
Additionally, new product launches and approvals in the market will also push the market to continue growing to new heights. For instance, in May 2021, Philips Healthcare received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the computed tomography system Spectral CT 7500, which uses intelligent software to deliver high-quality spectral images on every scan 100% of the time without the need for special protocols. Thus, all the aforementioned factors, such as an increase in the use of diagnostic imaging technology in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer, are expected to boost segment growth.
North America is expected to hold a significant market share in the future, owing to the increased adoption of cancer diagnostics and the growing burden of cancer in the United States. For instance, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, in May 2022, 7,500 Canadians were expected to be diagnosed with head and neck cancer. In 2022, 5,400 men and 2,000 women had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Thus, a significant head and neck cancer burden is expected to boost market growth over the forecast period.
Every year from April 11 to 17, Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week is commemorated in the United States. These cancers, which are dedicated to head and neck cancers in particular, are usually caused by tobacco use, but they can also be inherited. Such initiatives are expected to increase head and neck cancer awareness, ultimately driving the market's growth.
The product launches by the market players are expected to boost the market in the region. For instance, in August 2022, Viome Life Science launched an at-home test called CancerDetect for oral and throat cancer. CancerDetect brings unprecedented accuracy to early cancer detection and prevention as the only oral and throat cancer test to offer detection with 95% specificity and 90% sensitivity. Hence, the increasing geriatric population in North America, combined with government and private sector initiatives, is one of the other factors contributing to the market's growth.
The head and neck cancer diagnostics market is consolidated with the presence of global players. Market leaders with more funds for research and a better distribution system have established their position in the market. Some of the major players include GE Healthcare, Philips, Siemens Healthineeer, etc.
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