Last Updated: 30 Jul 2025
Source: Statifacts
The global internal beam radiotherapy market size was calculated at USD 2.52 billion in 2024 and is predicted to attain around USD 5.75 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2025 to 2034.
| Reports Attributes | Statistics |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 2.52 Billion |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 2.74 Billion |
| Market Size in 2032 | USD 4.88 Billion |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 5.75 Billion |
| CAGR 2025 to 2034 | 8.6% |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
Internal beam radiation therapy requires placing radioactive sources directly into or near the tumor, delivering a prominent dose of radiation while reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Internal beam radiation therapy permits precise targeting of tumors, decreasing damage to healthy tissues, which is a principal trend driving its adoption. Innovations like enhanced radiation delivery techniques and improved imaging systems are making internal beam therapy more precise and effective, contributing to increased adoption. The importance of the internal beam radiotherapy (brachytherapy) market lies in its capability to deliver targeted radiation, decreasing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, and providing highly effective cancer treatment alternatives. This localized approach, along with developments in technology and rising cancer incidence, is driving expansion and innovation in the brachytherapy market.
AI has remarkably benefited the internal beam radiotherapy market by enhancing treatment planning, improving accuracy, and increasing efficiency. AI-driven tools automate tasks like contouring as well as dose prediction, potentially decreasing planning time from days to minutes and improving radiation delivery for better patient results. AI can learn from huge datasets of former treatment plans to produce high-quality plans automatically, potency matching or marking the quality of plans created by human experts.
AI can refine the entire radiotherapy workflow, from imaging as well as planning to treatment delivery and quality assurance, contributing to a more efficient along effective process. AI algorithms demand large datasets to train and improve their performance. Addressing data privacy concerns, along with developing methods for secure data sharing, is vital.
What are the Internal Beam Radiotherapy Market Drivers?
Internal beam radiotherapy market drivers include the growing preference for minimally invasive treatment is fueling the sector. This approach delivers concentrated radiation directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues, enhancing both treatment effectiveness and patient safety compared to conventional external methods.
The demand for minimally invasive treatment options is a significant driver for the internal beam radiotherapy market because it provides targeted radiation delivery with decreased side effects compared to conventional external beam radiation therapy. Internal radiotherapy permits a higher dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor site, meanwhile sparing surrounding healthy tissues. This precise targeting improves treatment efficacy and lowers the risk of complications.
How Are Regulatory Hurdles Restraint the Internal Beam Radiotherapy Market?
Regulatory hurdles are a significant restraint on the internal beam radiotherapy market due to the complex as well as lengthy approval processes needed for new technologies and devices. These hurdles, while important for ensuring patient safety along with efficacy, can delay product launches, increase expenses, and restrict market entry, mainly for smaller firms. The process of acquiring regulatory approvals, including clinical trials as well as extensive documentation, can be lengthy and expensive, probably delaying market entry and hampering innovation. Regulatory requirements differ across countries, adding complexity for producers seeking to market their products worldwide.
Why Are the Advancements in Treatment Technologies an Opportunity for the Internal Beam Radiotherapy Market?
Advancements in treatment technologies present significant opportunities for the internal beam radiotherapy market by improving precision, lowering side effects, and expanding treatment applications. Technological improvements in radiation dose delivery, such as proton therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), permit better tumor control and potentially lower treatment side effects. Increased knowledge of the advantages of internal beam radiotherapy, combined with technological advancements, is boosting greater acceptance of brachytherapy by healthcare manufacturers. Precise radiation delivery decreases exposure to healthy tissues, contributing to fewer side effects and enhanced patient quality of life.
“Elekta Harmony marks a new chapter in cancer treatments, taking us one step closer to access for all,” says Gustaf Salford, Elekta’s Acting President and CEO. “That’s why it’s rewarding to launch a linac where we haven’t compromised but instead attained a perfect balance, tailored for both mature and emerging markets.”
“As part of Siemens Healthineers, we are uniquely positioned to transform cancer and beyond, and we are supercharging our commitment to patient-centricity with greater scale and impact,” said Arthur Kaindl, Head of Varian. “Our accelerated pace of innovation demonstrates that we offer more impact, together, in our mission toward a world without fear of cancer.”
Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it’s great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques.
The seeds segment dominated the internal beam radiotherapy market in 2024. Seeds can be placed directly within or near the tumor, permitting high doses of radiation to be delivered to the cancerous tissue while reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. They are utilized in the treatment of numerous cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, and gynecological cancers.
The afterloaders segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. Brachytherapy afterloaders provide the benefits of delivering high doses of radiation directly to the tumor site, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Brachytherapy, which depends on afterloaders, is becoming a favored treatment alternative for numerous cancers, including those of the head and neck, cervix, breast, prostate, and eye. Innovations in brachytherapy afterloaders, like enhanced precision and lowered side effects, led to their growing acceptance.
The brachytherapy segment dominated the market in 2024. This kind of radiation therapy includes placing radioactive sources either temporarily or permanently inside or near the tumor, which delivers radiation directly to the cancerous area. The efficiency, along with the precision of HDR brachytherapy, and its outpatient nature, make it a preferred choice for numerous cancers, including prostate and head and neck cancers.
The protein beam therapy segment is the fastest growing in the internal beam radiotherapy market during the forecast period. Proton beam therapy uses proton particles, which deposit their greatest dose of radiation at a specific depth, reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This contrasts with conventional radiation therapy, which can affect a broader area. The targeted nature of proton beam therapy reduces damage to healthy tissue, contributing to fewer side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy.
The prostate cancer segment dominated the market for internal beam radiotherapy in 2024. This is mainly due to the high prevalence of prostate cancer as well as the effectiveness of brachytherapy, a kind of internal beam radiation, in treating localized prostate cancer. Brachytherapy provides advantages such as precise targeting of the tumor, decreasing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and higher patient satisfaction compared to other treatment modalities.
The breast cancer segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. Breast cancer is a leading application for external beam radiation therapy, undergoing high growth due to raised screening, early diagnosis, and the acceptance of hypofractionated radiation regimens. The rise in breast cancer treatment, including both external and internal beam radiation therapy, is propelled by factors such as increased cancer incidence, advanced technologies (e.g., IGRT, IMRT), and broader adoption of hypofractionated regimens.
The fixed beam devices segment dominated the internal beam radiotherapy market in 2024. Fixed beams are a feature of many external beam radiotherapy devices, like linear accelerators and cobalt-60 teletherapy units. This is the most usual type of radiotherapy, where radiation beams are generated outside the body as well as directed at the tumor. External beam radiotherapy has seen remarkable advancements, such as IMRT and VMAT, thus solidifying its position in cancer treatment. The radiotherapy market is primarily segmented into external beam radiotherapy therapy as well as brachytherapy, with EBRT being the larger segment.
The software solutions for the planning and treatment segment are the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into radiotherapy planning is a huge trend, permitting personalized treatment plans and improving dose delivery. AI can determine vast amounts of patient information, including tumor characteristics along with anatomical information, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of treatment planning. Advanced software can play a vital role in improving treatment schedules and guaranteeing the efficient delivery of care in these settings.
The interstitial therapy segment dominated the internal beam radiotherapy market in 2024. Interstitial brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to the tumor site, reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. It permits the delivery of a greater radiation dose to a specific area compared to external beam radiation, potentially contributing to more effective tumor control. It is usually used in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery or external beam radiation, mainly for cancers such as gynecological, prostate, and some head and neck cancers.
The augmented reality-assisted delivery segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. AR overlays digital information (such as tumor outlines and radiation beams) onto the patient's body, permitting doctors to visualize the treatment area with higher accuracy during internal beam radiotherapy procedures. AR applications can make 3D simulations of treatment plans, assisting patients in better understanding their condition and the treatment process, potentially decreasing anxiety and improving adherence.
The hospitals segment dominated the market for internal beam radiotherapy in 2024. Hospitals offer a broad range of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical oncology, under one roof, making them a convenient alternative for patients. Hospitals utilize internal beam radiotherapy (brachytherapy) to deliver high doses of radiation directly to the tumor, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In many countries, public hospital systems acquire substantial government support for cancer treatment, including radiotherapy, thus strengthening their position in the market.
The specialized cancer treatment centers segment is the fastest growing in the internal beam radiotherapy sector during the forecast period. Specialized centers are usually at the forefront of adopting and incorporating innovative radiotherapy technologies, like IMRT and image-guided therapy, which provide greater precision and enhanced patient outcomes. The growth of healthcare facilities and the rising awareness about cancer and its treatment alternatives are also making radiotherapy services more accessible to a broader population.
North America dominated the internal beam radiotherapy market in 2024. This supremacy is due to factors such as well-known healthcare infrastructure, robust research and development investment, along with high healthcare spending. It is also fueled by factors such as increasing cancer incidence, supportive government policies, as well as the acceptance of advanced technologies such as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and proton therapy.
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for internal beam radiotherapy during the forecast period. Developing countries in this region are investing in building and even upgrading their healthcare infrastructure, by making radiotherapy more accessible to a greater population.
Significant private investments from both domestic as well as international players are leading to the advancement of radiotherapy infrastructure and services.
The competitive landscape of the market for internal beam radiotherapy is dominated by a few major players, with ongoing consolidation and remarkable investments in R&D. The market is undergoing a trend towards consolidation, with key players acquiring smaller firms to expand their product portfolios and market reach. Companies are targeting R&D, strategic acquisitions, and stretching their geographic presence to gain a competitive edge.
Elekta tackles competition from numerous key players in the radiation therapy as well as oncology solutions market, including Varian Medical Systems. Elekta itself holds a solid global market position, with a remarkable market share in radiation therapy and related oncology.
Varian Medical Systems Inc (VMS) designs, produces, and sells medical devices, linked hardware and software, and a wide portfolio of interventional solutions for the treatment of cancer. The firm’s major product areas include radiotherapy, radiosurgery, brachytherapy, proton therapy, adaptive therapy, interventional therapy, and software.
Accuray Inc. (Accuray) is a medical device firm that focuses on the manufacture, development, and sale of personalized treatment solutions for radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, adaptive radiation therapy, and image-guided radiation therapy. Its crucial services include post-contract customer support, along with training, installation services, and a few professional services.
Published by Kesiya Chacko
