The global histology and cytology market size recorded a revenue of USD 12.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 13.6% during the forecast period. Histological techniques have largely been considered as the primary means of determining tissue organization. However, over the past three decades, due to several advancements, these techniques have become critical diagnostic tools for the evaluation of chronic diseases, thereby driving the market.
Rapid advancements in microscopy and immunohistochemistry are likely to boost the demand for histology and cytology examinations. These advances include virtual microscopy, which is a form of static telepathology. Virtual microscopy requires multiple copies of slides and has potential applications across education, research, and diagnostics.
Virtual microscopy enables users to create virtual slides that can be archived on a network server and viewed by different users. In addition, the inclusion of informatics tools combines clinical medicine with science by integrating gross pathology with other branches of pathology, such as histopathology and autopsy pathology.
Advent of liquid-based cytology offers numerous benefits such as better clarity, requires less screening time, facilitates uniform smearing, and results in improved handling of inflammatory and hemorrhagic samples. Increasing demand for advanced diagnostic procedures to screen cancer is a pivotal aspect expected to boost the market over the forecast period.
In addition, digital pathology is gaining immense importance as efficient management, acquisition, and interpretation of pathology information becomes pivotal for disease diagnosis. Digital slides are employed by professional for histology training as these digital slides enable annotation of desired regions.
Rising significance for early disease diagnosis is set to promote the use of cytology and products. Cytology and histology combine the study of the microstructure of cells and tissues, which helps practitioners make decisions for effective treatment. Timely treatment of various forms of cancer, such as breast, pancreatic, lung, and cervical, depends upon early screening and detection.
Histology and cytology are the best sources of a diagnostic evaluation for cancer prognosis to improve survival rate. Cytological analysis is a nonaggressive technique and is preferred by patients, making it a feasible option for early diagnosis and cancer detection.
Cytology involves identifying and diagnosing diseases through microscopic examination of single cells and small clusters of cells in different types of smears. It is the safest, simplest, and quickest means of diagnosing diseases through analysis at a cellular level. Furthermore, cytological tests are also used during follow-up of patients undergoing treatment to monitor their progress.
Cytology tests are preferred over histological tests as specimens are easily available; they cause less discomfort with minimal serious complications. Cytological examinations are projected to contribute substantially to the global histology and cytology market throughout the forecast period, attributed to rising adoption of the same in the field of oncology.
Histology and pathology instruments include tissue processor, microtome, tissue embedders, cryostat, and microscope, which help prepare and examine tissues. Automated histology instruments have the advantage of increasing productivity or processing diagnostic samples, decreasing the risk of infection, and improving treatments.
Furthermore, several market players are expanding their product portfolio pertaining to histology consumables, contributing to the global revenue throughout the forecast period. For instance, Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH, offers a diverse range of histology consumables including cassettes, stains, paraffin, blades, slides, cover glass, autopsy consumables, dissection consumables, mounting media, adhesives, and reagents.
Whereas, emerging manufacturers are also keen on investing in histology and cytology consumables aimed at enhancing laboratory workflow. For example, CellPath Ltd offers consumables targeted towards improved cell collection, minimized patient discomfort, and enhanced efficiency. Thus, increasing pool of such manufacturers is expected to increase the accessibility of novel consumables employed in histology and cytology protocols, further contributing to the revenue generated by this segment throughout the forecast period.
Rising employment of cytology and histology products by biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies, academic research, and contract research organizations has been witnessed in recent years. This has contributed to the dominance of life sciences among end-users analyzed in this market. Pathology study is essential for healthcare manufacturers for successful drug development is engaged in basic research and clinical trials. Additionally, emerging digital solutions associated with histology and cytology are gaining significant traction across biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
This is also supplemented by market participants that are investing in the development of digital pathology solutions. For instance, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd manufactures digital pathology solutions that are aimed at enhancing remote diagnosis such as, VENTANA slide scanners, enterprise software, and image analysis software. Whereas, Koninklijke Philips N.V. has developed a clinical digital pathology solution namely, Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution that is designed for improving clinical workflows along with patient care. Introduction of such novel digital solutions has piqued the interest of professionals operating in the life science industry and has begun to employ histology and cytology products on a larger scale to ensure ease and accuracy of end-use setting workflow.
Significant awareness about cancer and regular health screening, favorable government reimbursement policies, and availability of sophisticated healthcare infrastructure are key factors promoting the use of cytology and histology products in the North America region.
In addition, U.S. exhibits a large pool of local manufacturers offering a vast portfolio of reagents developed specifically for cytology and histology applications. Furthermore, approvals and commercialization of products in the region, R&D activities by educational institutes and industry players, and high healthcare spending are some secondary factors contributing to the revenue generated in this region.
Due to the large geriatric population, unhealthy lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions, there is a high incidence of cancer across the Asia Pacific region. Hence, a larger target population, an increase in awareness about cancer screening, and investment of multinational companies in this region are some of the factors expected to boost the regional market in the coming years.
In recent years, the market has witnessed a substantial number of strategic developments by companies aimed at sustaining market competition. For example, in June 2019, Thermo Fisher announced the divestiture of its anatomical pathology unit to PHC Holdings—a healthcare firm based in Japan. Thermo Fisher entered into a definitive agreement with the company (PHC) for USD 1.1 billion. This anatomical pathology unit is inclusive of consumables for cytology and histology testing along with microscope slides as well as associated instruments.
Whereas, in April 2019, Hologic, Inc. received CE IVD mark for its cytology slide processor namely, ThinPrep Genesis. With this approval, the company is set to strengthen its market position in Europe. Some of the key players in the market include Trivitron Healthcare; Hologic, Inc.; Sysmex Corporation; Danaher; Abbott; Becton, Dickinson and Company; and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2020 |
USD 14.13 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2027 |
USD 34.5 billion |
Growth Rate |
CAGR of 13.6% from 2020 to 2027 |
Base year for estimation |
2019 |
Historical data |
2016 - 2018 |
Forecast period |
2020 - 2027 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2020 to 2027 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors and trends |
Segments covered |
Type of examination, product, end-use, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East; Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Germany; U.K.; Italy; France; Spain; Japan; China; Brazil; Mexico; South Africa |
Key companies profiled |
Trivitron Healthcare; Hologic, Inc.; Sysmex Corporation; Danaher; Abbott; Becton; Dickinson and Company; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global histology and cytology market report on the basis of type of examination, product, end use, and region:
Type of Examination Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)
Histology
Cytology
Cervical cancer
Breast cancer
Other cancers
Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)
Instruments and Analysis Software System
Consumable and Reagents
End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)
Life Sciences
Clinical Diagnostics
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Europe
Germany
U.K.
France
Italy
Spain
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
MEA
South Africa
b. The global histology and cytology market size was estimated at USD 12.48 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 14.13 billion in 2020.
b. The global histology and cytology market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.72% from 2020 to 2026 to reach USD 30.69 billion by 2026.
b. North America dominated the histology and cytology market with a share of 40.6% in 2019. The U.S. exhibits a large pool of local manufacturers offering a vast portfolio of reagents developed specifically for cytology and histology applications, contributing to the dominance of this region.
b. Some key players operating in the histology and cytology market include Trivitron Healthcare; Hologic, Inc.; Sysmex Corporation; Danaher; Abbott; Becton, Dickinson and Company; and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
b. Key factors that are driving the histology and cytology market growth include rapid advancements in microscopy & immunohistochemistry, the advent of liquid-based cytology, and the increasing demand for virtual microscopy.
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The most common concern for the governments of all Covid-19 hit nations is the excruciating need to screen for and test large numbers of patients for possible Sars-Cov-2 infection. As a result, most of them are facing major shortages in the supply for diagnostic kits to test for the virus. Diagnostics virology entities are under immense pressure to provide reliable testing kits, and there is a surge in demand for in-vitro or point-of-care testing capacities by labs across a large number of countries. The report will account for Covid19 as a key market contributor.