Global Positron Emission Tomography Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

• May 2021, GE Healthcare acquired Zionexa, a leading innovator in in-vivo biomarkers for oncology and neurology. This acquisition will enable GE Healthcare to advance Zionexa's pipeline biomarkers and the recently FDA-approved PET imaging agent, Cerianna (fluoroestradiol F-18). Cerianna, used in conjunction with biopsy, can detect estrogen receptor (ER) positive lesions, providing valuable information for treatment selection in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. The goal is to bring these biomarkers to market and promote more personalized healthcare.

• February 2023, United Imaging, a renowned global leader in advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, participated as a Platinum partner at Arab Health 2023 held in Dubai, UAE, from January 30 to February 2. They showcased an extensive range of cutting-edge medical imaging devices, including the HD TOF PET/MR uPMR 790, which produces high-quality images; the uCT 960+, a 16cm detector/640 slice CT scanner, the fastest cardiac CT scanner in the world; the uMl 780, an ultra-fast high-resolution digital PET/CT scanner; the uMR 680, a 1.5T Wide Bore MRI System with "3-like" performance, powered by uAiFI; and the uDR 380i Pro, the most compact mobile DR system.

• May 2022, Mediso Ltd acquired Bartec Technologies Ltd, a UK-based company specializing in providing and supporting Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging equipment and accessories.

The Global Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Market is segmented by type into partial ring PET scanners and full ring PET scanners, with each offering distinct advantages. Partial ring PET scanners are typically more cost-effective and are commonly used in smaller clinics or research environments where budget constraints are a key factor. These scanners offer adequate imaging capabilities for general diagnostic purposes but may have slightly lower sensitivity and resolution compared to full ring scanners. On the other hand, full ring PET scanners provide higher resolution and sensitivity, making them ideal for more complex and detailed imaging applications, particularly in oncology and neurology. They are widely used in hospitals and large diagnostic centers where high-quality imaging is required for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

The product segment includes PET/CT systems (low slice, medium slice, high slice scanners) and PET/MRI systems. PET/CT systems are the most widely used, combining functional imaging from PET with anatomical detail from CT, which is particularly valuable in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Low slice scanners are cost-effective and suitable for basic diagnostic needs, while medium slice and high slice scanners offer more advanced features with higher image resolution, making them essential for detecting and monitoring complex conditions. PET/MRI systems, although less commonly used due to higher costs, provide the advantage of superior soft tissue contrast without radiation exposure, which is particularly useful in neurological and cardiac imaging. As healthcare providers shift toward more advanced imaging techniques, PET/MRI systems are gaining traction, especially in research and specialized clinical settings.

The application segment includes cardiovascular, neurology, oncology, and others. Oncology is the largest application segment, as PET imaging is crucial for detecting and monitoring cancer, assessing the extent of disease, and evaluating treatment response. Neurology follows closely, with PET playing a key role in diagnosing conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders by providing detailed functional brain imaging. Cardiovascular applications leverage PET to evaluate heart function and detect coronary artery disease, while the others category includes applications in musculoskeletal imaging and infection detection. The end-use segment comprises hospitals, diagnostic centers, and others. Hospitals represent the largest share of the market, as they require advanced PET scanners for comprehensive diagnostic services across multiple specialties. Diagnostic centers also utilize PET technology extensively for outpatient imaging, particularly for oncology and neurology. The others category includes research institutions and specialized medical centers, which are increasingly adopting advanced PET systems for clinical trials and research purposes. As the demand for accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tools grows, the adoption of PET technology across these end-use segments is expected to increase, driving market growth.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by Type, Product, Application, End Use, and Geography.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market, Segmentation by Type

The Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by Type into Partial Ring PET Scanner and Full Ring PET Scanners.

Partial Ring PET Scanners are characterized by detectors covering only a portion of the patient's body circumference. This design makes them particularly suitable for facilities with space constraints or those operating within limited budgets. Despite their reduced coverage, Partial Ring PET Scanners offer valuable diagnostic capabilities, especially in scenarios where comprehensive imaging may not be essential, or where cost-effectiveness is a priority.

Contrastingly, Full Ring PET Scanners comprise another critical segment within the PET market. These scanners feature detectors that encircle the patient's entire body, enabling comprehensive imaging with higher sensitivity and superior image quality. While Full Ring PET Scanners typically command higher initial investment and require more physical space, they offer distinct advantages in diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex cases or detailed anatomical assessments. As a result, they are often preferred in larger hospitals, academic medical centers, and specialized imaging facilities where top-tier imaging performance is paramount.

The segmentation by type reflects the diverse needs of healthcare providers and patients, offering options that align with varying clinical requirements, resource availability, and budget constraints. Whether it's the more cost-effective Partial Ring PET Scanners suited for smaller facilities or the advanced capabilities of Full Ring PET Scanners preferred in larger institutions, the market segmentation ensures that healthcare providers can choose PET imaging solutions that best meet their specific needs while delivering optimal patient care. Moreover, ongoing technological advancements continue to drive innovation across both segments, further enhancing the diagnostic capabilities and clinical utility of PET imaging systems, thus contributing to the continued growth and evolution of the global PET market.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market, Segmentation by Product

The Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by Product into PET/CT Systems- Low Slice Scanners, Medium Slice Scanners, High Slice Scanners and PET/MRI Systems.

The Global Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Market is segmented by product into PET/CT systems (low slice scanners, medium slice scanners, high slice scanners) and PET/MRI systems, each offering distinct capabilities and catering to different imaging needs. PET/CT systems are the most widely used in clinical practice due to their ability to provide both functional and anatomical imaging, offering a comprehensive view of disease processes. Low slice scanners are typically more cost-effective and provide basic diagnostic imaging capabilities, making them suitable for routine scans and smaller healthcare facilities. Medium slice scanners offer better image resolution and are commonly used in oncology, cardiology, and neurology for more detailed scans, while high slice scanners provide the highest resolution and are preferred in complex diagnostic cases, such as brain and heart imaging, where precise detail is crucial for accurate diagnoses.

The PET/MRI systems represent an emerging technology in the PET market, combining the functional imaging of PET with the high-resolution anatomical imaging of MRI. These systems are gaining traction due to their ability to provide superior soft tissue contrast without the radiation exposure associated with CT. PET/MRI systems are particularly valuable in neurological, oncological, and cardiac imaging, where soft tissue imaging is critical. They are more expensive and less commonly used than PET/CT systems, but they are increasingly being adopted in specialized research settings and leading hospitals due to their advanced capabilities in both diagnostics and monitoring disease progression over time.

The segmentation of the PET market by product highlights the wide range of options available to meet diverse healthcare needs. PET/CT systems dominate the market due to their established presence and versatility, while PET/MRI systems are gradually gaining momentum as a preferred choice for advanced imaging, particularly in research and specialized clinical settings. As technology continues to evolve, it is expected that the market will see further innovation, with more hospitals and imaging centers adopting PET/MRI systems alongside traditional PET/CT systems to offer enhanced diagnostic capabilities and improved patient outcomes.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market, Segmentation by Application

The Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by Application into Cardiovascular, Neurology, Oncology, and Others.

The segmentation of the global Positron Emission Tomography (PET) market by application delineates the diverse clinical areas where PET imaging technology is instrumental in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management. One significant segment within this market is cardiovascular imaging. PET technology allows for the assessment of myocardial perfusion, metabolism, and viability, enabling clinicians to diagnose and evaluate various cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathies. By providing insights into cardiac function and tissue viability, PET imaging plays a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions and optimizing patient outcomes in cardiovascular medicine.

Neurology represents another key segment within the PET market. PET imaging facilitates the visualization of metabolic activity and neuroreceptor binding in the brain, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and brain tumors. By enabling early detection, accurate staging, and treatment response assessment, PET imaging contributes significantly to the management of neurological conditions, providing valuable insights into disease progression and therapeutic efficacy.

Oncology constitutes a substantial segment within the PET market, leveraging PET imaging technology for cancer detection, staging, treatment planning, and response assessment. PET scans utilize radiotracers to visualize metabolic activity and identify areas of abnormal cell growth, allowing clinicians to precisely localize tumors, assess their aggressiveness, and monitor treatment responses over time. With its ability to detect cancer at an early stage, evaluate disease extent, and tailor treatment strategies based on individual patient characteristics, PET imaging plays a pivotal role in personalized cancer care, improving patient outcomes and survival rates across various malignancies.

Beyond cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological applications, PET imaging finds utility in other clinical areas such as infectious diseases, inflammation, and therapy monitoring. PET technology enables the visualization of metabolic processes and molecular pathways associated with infectious agents, inflammatory responses, and therapeutic interventions, providing valuable insights into disease pathophysiology and treatment efficacy. As a result, PET imaging continues to expand its applications across diverse medical specialties, driving advancements in diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic decision-making, and patient care across the global healthcare landscape.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market, Segmentation by End Use

The Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by End Use into Hospitals, Diagnostic centers, and Others.

Hospitals constitute a significant segment within this market. Hospitals serve as primary hubs for healthcare delivery, providing a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services to patients across various medical specialties. Within hospital settings, PET scanners play a pivotal role in facilitating accurate diagnoses, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring patient responses to therapy across a spectrum of diseases and conditions.

Diagnostic centers represent another key segment within the PET market. These specialized facilities focus primarily on providing diagnostic imaging services to both referred patients and individuals seeking health assessments. Diagnostic centers often feature advanced imaging equipment, including PET scanners, to offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for various medical concerns. Their specialized nature enables them to cater to specific imaging needs efficiently, providing timely and accurate diagnostic information to patients and healthcare providers alike.

Beyond hospitals and diagnostic centers, the PET market encompasses other healthcare settings that utilize PET imaging technology. These may include outpatient clinics, imaging centers, research institutions, and academic medical centers, among others. Each of these settings may have unique requirements and priorities concerning PET imaging, driven by factors such as patient demographics, clinical specialties, research objectives, and resource availability.

The segmentation by product type underscores the versatility and widespread adoption of PET imaging technology across diverse healthcare environments. Whether it's the integration of PET scanners within hospital imaging departments to support comprehensive patient care, the specialized services offered by diagnostic centers, or the varied applications within other healthcare settings, PET imaging continues to play a vital role in modern medicine. Furthermore, ongoing advancements in PET technology, coupled with efforts to enhance accessibility and affordability, are poised to further expand the reach and impact of PET imaging across the global healthcare landscape.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Positron Emission Tomography Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2024

Asia Pacific represents a rapidly growing segment within the global PET market. The region's burgeoning population, increasing healthcare investments, and rising prevalence of chronic diseases drive the demand for advanced diagnostic imaging solutions, including PET scanners. Countries such as China, Japan, and India are witnessing significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, expansion of medical facilities, and adoption of innovative imaging technologies to meet the growing healthcare needs of their populations. Moreover, rising awareness about early disease detection, improving accessibility to healthcare services, and expanding insurance coverage contribute to the uptake of PET imaging technology across the Asia Pacific region.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) comprise emerging segments within the global PET market. While these regions may exhibit diverse healthcare landscapes and varying levels of healthcare infrastructure, they present untapped opportunities for market growth. Increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, and a growing focus on improving healthcare quality and accessibility drive the demand for advanced diagnostic imaging technologies, including PET scanners, in these regions. Moreover, initiatives aimed at addressing the burden of chronic diseases, enhancing medical education and training, and expanding healthcare coverage further contribute to the adoption of PET imaging technology in Latin America and the MEA region.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Positron Emission Tomography Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers :

• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Metabolic imaging
• Disease diagnosis

• Healthcare expenditure - Healthcare expenditure is a critical indicator of a nation's commitment to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare services to its citizens. It encompasses the financial resources allocated by governments, private sector entities, and individuals towards healthcare-related activities, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and research. The level of healthcare expenditure reflects not only the overall health priorities of a country but also its economic capacity and social welfare objectives.

  In developed economies such as the United States, Canada, and countries in Western Europe, healthcare expenditure tends to be substantial, driven by factors such as aging populations, technological advancements, and the prevalence of chronic diseases. These nations typically allocate significant portions of their gross domestic product (GDP) or government budgets to healthcare, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the well-being of their populations and maintaining robust healthcare systems capable of delivering comprehensive and advanced medical care.

  In contrast, emerging economies and low- and middle-income countries often face challenges in allocating sufficient resources to healthcare due to competing demands, limited fiscal capacity, and structural barriers. However, many of these countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of investing in healthcare to achieve sustainable development goals, reduce health disparities, and promote economic growth and social stability. As a result, healthcare expenditure in these regions is gradually increasing, supported by government initiatives, international aid, and private sector investments.

  Rising healthcare expenditure globally is also driven by factors such as medical inflation, increasing demand for healthcare services, and the adoption of new technologies and treatments. While higher healthcare spending may improve access to care and quality of services, it also poses challenges related to healthcare affordability, equity, and sustainability. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders must therefore strive to strike a balance between meeting healthcare needs and ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in healthcare financing and delivery.

Restraints :

• High equipment costs
• Limited accessibility

• Radiation exposure concerns - Radiation exposure concerns are a significant consideration in the field of medical imaging, including Positron Emission Tomography (PET). While PET imaging provides valuable insights into metabolic processes and disease pathology, it involves the administration of radioactive tracers, which emit ionizing radiation during the imaging process. As a result, patients and healthcare providers alike may have concerns regarding potential health risks associated with radiation exposure.

  One primary concern is the risk of radiation-induced adverse effects, such as tissue damage and an increased risk of cancer. Although the doses of radiation used in PET imaging are typically low and considered safe for diagnostic purposes, repeated exposure over time or exposure to high doses may increase the cumulative risk of radiation-related health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

  Another concern relates to radiation safety practices and regulatory standards governing the use of PET imaging equipment and radiopharmaceuticals. Healthcare facilities must adhere to strict protocols and guidelines to minimize radiation exposure for patients, healthcare personnel, and the general public. This includes implementing proper shielding measures, optimizing imaging protocols to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, and ensuring appropriate training and education for staff involved in PET imaging procedures.

  Patient education and informed consent also play a crucial role in addressing radiation exposure concerns. Patients undergoing PET scans should receive comprehensive information about the benefits and risks of the procedure, including the potential risks associated with radiation exposure. Clear communication regarding radiation safety measures, dose optimization techniques, and follow-up recommendations can help alleviate patient anxiety and foster trust in the healthcare provider-patient relationship.

Opportunities :

• Healthcare infrastructure improvement
• Emerging markets
• Personalized medicine

• Theranostics - Theranostics is an innovative approach in medicine that combines diagnostic and therapeutic modalities into a single integrated process. The term "theranostics" is a portmanteau of "therapy" and "diagnostics," reflecting the dual purpose of this approach. In the context of Positron Emission Tomography (PET), theranostics involves using PET imaging to both diagnose and treat diseases, particularly cancer.

  In theranostic applications, PET imaging is utilized to identify specific molecular targets or biomarkers associated with a disease, such as cancerous tumors. This is achieved by administering radiopharmaceuticals labeled with positron-emitting isotopes, which accumulate in target tissues and emit signals that can be detected by PET scanners. By visualizing and quantifying the uptake of these radiopharmaceuticals, PET imaging enables precise localization and characterization of diseased tissues, aiding in accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.

  Once the disease is identified using PET imaging, theranostic approaches leverage the same molecular targets to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the diseased tissues. This may involve using radiopharmaceuticals labeled with therapeutic isotopes, which emit therapeutic radiation to destroy cancer cells or other diseased tissues while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. By targeting the same molecular pathways identified through PET imaging, theranostic therapies can be personalized to individual patients, optimizing treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse effects.

  Theranostics holds promise across various medical specialties, but it has garnered particular attention in oncology due to its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. In oncologic theranostics, PET imaging allows for the selection of appropriate patients based on their tumor characteristics and molecular profiles, thereby enabling personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, theranostic approaches offer the advantage of real-time monitoring of treatment response using PET imaging, allowing clinicians to assess the efficacy of therapy and adjust treatment regimens as needed.

Key players in Global Positron Emission Tomography Market include :

• CMR Naviscan
• Neusoft Corporation
• General Electric Company
• Siemens Healthcare
• Oncovision
• Positron Corporation
• Koninklijke Philips N.V

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis