Market Challenges And Opportunities

Global Ablation Devices Market- Drivers

Increasing prevalence of cancer: The increasing incidence of cancer cases around the world is a major factor fueling the expansion of the global ablation devices market. Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, according to the World Health Organization. The growing burden of various types of cancer, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and others, is driving greater demand for effective ablation techniques that can help in cancer treatment.
Ablation techniques have emerged as viable, minimally invasive alternatives to surgery in recent years for cancer treatment. Ablation devices help destroy cancerous tumors or unnecessary tissues by imparting heat or cold. Various devices in this market, such as radiofrequency ablation devices, microwave ablation devices, cryoablation devices, hydrothermal ablation devices, and others, are being widely adopted. This is due to advantages such as shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery time, and less pain for patients compared to conventional surgery. The rising preference for minimally invasive procedures will aid in the increasing incorporation of ablation techniques in clinical oncology.
Rising elderly population and associated diseases: Ablation treatment is increasingly being used for age-related chronic diseases and conditions like atrial fibrillation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, which are highly prevalent in older age groups. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that can lead to strokes, heart failure, and other complications, affects around 6 million people in the European Region alone, and its incidence rises with age from less than 1% at age 50 to almost 10% at age 80. Similarly, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that around 66% of all cancers are diagnosed in people aged 65 years or older.
Ablation offers minimally invasive techniques to treat such diseases with fewer side effects than alternative options like open surgeries for the aging population. As people across the world opt for radiofrequency, cryoablation, microwave, and other catheter-based techniques over surgical treatments, the demand and scope for the application of ablation systems for chronic disease management in older age segments are surging rapidly. This steady rise in diseases and conditions afflicting the ballooning senior citizen demographic globally will remain a key driver propelling the multibillion ablation devices industry forward in the forthcoming years.
Technological advancements in ablation devices: Technological advancements in the field of ablation devices are contributing significantly to the growth of the global ablation devices market. Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes various technologies, including radiofrequency, laser/light, microwave, and others, to destroy diseased tissues. Newer generations of ablation devices are enabling doctors to treat complex conditions with more precision and effectiveness. For instance, novel laser ablation systems allow the ablation of tumors in hard-to-reach areas like the lungs without requiring any incisions. This has reduced risks and recovery times for patients as well as improved outcomes for patients.
Another key factor driving the global ablation devices market is the development of Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS ) technology by key market players. MRgFUS non-invasively combines MRI visualization with targeted ultrasound beams to destroy diseased tissues, such as uterine fibroids. Compared to traditional surgical options, MRgFUS provides benefits like no scarring, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery times. It has gained acceptance for treating conditions such as essential tremors and bone metastases. As per estimates by the U.S. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (2020), over 20,000 patients had been treated globally using MRgFUS by 2020.
Going forward, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is expected to revolutionize the ablation field. AI powered devices can analyze diagnostic images to map out precise treatment plans and guide ablation catheters autonomously. This reduces human errors and enhances control over ablation procedures. Robotic ablation systems allow doctors to perform minimally invasive ablation of cancerous tumors with enhanced 3D vision, precision, and scale needed for complex cases. As healthcare systems focus on reducing costs, improving outcomes and expanding access to care, demand for advanced ablation devices is likely to keep the overall market on a strong growth path over the next decade.

Global Ablation Devices Market- Opportunities

Emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America: The emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America regions are well positioned to drive significant growth in the global ablation devices market in the coming years. Countries like India, China, Brazil, and Mexico have very large patient populations combined with improving access to healthcare facilities. As disposable incomes and standards of living rise rapidly in these developing nations, access to advanced medical technologies and procedures will also increase dramatically.
Ablation devices are increasingly used in minimally invasive treatments for cancer, cardiac arrhythmias, and other conditions. As the burden of non-communicable diseases grows in the developing world due to lifestyle changes and aging populations, demand for ablation technologies from physicians and patients will continue to surge. These emerging markets still have much lower device utilization and procedure rates compared to developed countries currently. This indicates a massive potential for future procedure volume growth as affordability barriers reduce over time.
Growing applications of ablation devices in a different of medical procedures: Growing applications of ablation devices in a variety of medical procedures have created significant opportunity in the global ablation devices market. Ablation procedures are increasingly being used as minimally invasive alternatives for surgeries across various therapeutic areas like cardiology, gynecology, urology, and many others. According to data published in June 2024, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer incidence and mortality rates have declined annually from 2016 to 2019 in the U.S., partly due to early detection and advanced interventional procedures like ablation that help treat cancer without the need for major invasive surgeries.
In cardiology, ablation devices are becoming the standard of care for treating arrhythmias and replacing the need for lifelong medication. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for over 17 million premature deaths annually. Ablation offers effective treatment with high success and lower risks than alternative drug therapies or extensive surgical procedures for heart conditions. Industry projections suggest more than half a million cardiac ablation procedures are performed worldwide each year, and this figure is expected to grow substantially in the coming years.
Oncology is another promising area for ablation devices. The National Cancer Institute estimated that there were over 1.8 million new cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020. Minimally invasive techniques such as ablation help address the increasing cancer burden while offering patients less trauma, quicker recovery times, and potentially lower costs compared to open surgeries. The ability of ablation technologies to treat both benign and cancerous tumors across different parts of the body without the need for general anesthesia makes them an attractive option.
Untapped growth potential in rural areas: The rural communities across the globe present a massive untapped market potential for ablation devices. With a major chunk of the world’s population residing in rural and semi-urban areas, enabling access to advanced medical technologies in these regions can help address significant unmet healthcare needs.
Ablation, being a minimally invasive treatment option for several cardiovascular, oncological, and urological conditions, has the ability to bring effective solutions closer to patients living in remote locations. At present, a lack of proper infrastructure and skilled medical practitioners restrict the availability of ablation devices and associated procedures only to major urban centers. However, with coordinated efforts of governments, non-profit organizations, and private players, this barrier can be overcome.
Telehealth and telerobotics offer promising options to virtually connect patients in rural clinics to expert interventional radiologists and electrophysiologists based in cities. Mobile care facilities and training of local healthcare workers will also help in conducting simple ablation treatments near patients’ homes. This localized model of decentralized healthcare can become highly beneficial for aging populations in underdeveloped regions. According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases account for over 70% of deaths globally, with a disproportionately higher burden on poorer nations. Addressing this critical need through innovations in rural ablation care can boost quality of life as well as health outcomes.
As awareness and acceptance grow amongst rural communities, manufacturers stand to gain substantial returns on investments made in building local supply chains and post-sales support systems tailored for remote infrastructure. Recent initiatives by the Australian and Canadian governments to improve telehealth infrastructure and skills in their rural heartlands indicate the potential opportunities if similar focused steps are taken elsewhere. This untapped rural growth segment can fuel the global expansion of the ablation devices industry in the long run.