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Positron Emission Tomography Market

The market for Positron Emission Tomography was estimated at $2.3 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $3.2 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $4.5 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1801131
Author:Debadatta Patel - Senior Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Life Science
Medical Device
Positron Emission Tomography
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Market Data
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Table of Contents

Global Positron Emission Tomography Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$2.3B

Forecast, 2035

$4.5B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

6.8%

The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) industry revenue is expected to be around $2.3 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 6.8% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Advanced diagnostic techniques with positron emission tomography are increasingly widely used for detecting diseases such as cancer and heart disease due to several factors. These include a rise in the number of cases of these diseases and clinical guidelines now generally advocating its use. A forecast suggests PET/CT systems will be the leading products in this market with revenue of $1.51 billion by 2025. This surge in PET/CT sales is attributed to the fact that clinicians are purchasing hybrid equipment that combines both the anatomical and functional imaging techniques to improve patient treatment and healthcare outcomes. Pet scans are used in 80.9% of all medical applications which involve nuclear medicine. The importance of PET scans is highlighted by this high application rate, with these scans being particularly useful in two region's: cancer treatment and heart problems. Progress with the technology for PET scans, in the region's of the equipment used and the radioactive materials applied, aims to improve treatment efficiency and also underlines the key role that PET scans will continue to have. These developments are highly beneficial to both private and hospital owned nuclear medicine departments.

Functional imaging with PET scans uses a radioactive tracer to provide detailed 3D images of how the body functions, and is used alongside other imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans. PET/CT combines the exquisite anatomy provided by CT with the precise functional information of PET, in the form of metabolic activity at the cellular level. It offers the ability to monitor disease response over time, and as such supports personalised medicine in a wide range of clinical applications. These include oncology where it is used in tumour staging, detecting recurrence and in monitoring immunotherapy. It is also used in cardiology for assessing the hearts blood supply and in neurology for the assessment of dementia and localising where an epileptic fit started. The development of FDG PET and newer targeted tracers will lead to PET/CT being used in assessing inflammation and infection, and in emerging therapeutic applications. Advances in PET/CT and PET/MRI technology have led to an increase in their use, AI algorithms are also being used to interpret images, and there is a trend towards more patients being treated on an outpatient basis. This has led to greater demand for PET scanning and highlights its importance in healthcare.

Positron Emission Tomography market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Positron Emission Tomography Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Positron Emission Tomography market is projected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2025 to $4.5 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 6.8%, reflecting rising demand across Oncology Diagnostics, Cardiology, and Neurology.

  • Among the major players that dominate the global computed tomography market are GE HealthCare, Koninklijke Philips N.V. and Siemens Healthineers AG, who define the competitive landscape in this market.

  • The US and Germany are forecasted to dominate the positron emission tomography sector through the period of 2025 to 2030, with predicted Compound Annual Growth Rates of between 4.4% and 6.5%.

  • The highest growth rates will be seen in emerging markets South Korea, Brazil and India at a compound annual growth rate of between 7.8 and 9.4% .

  • A transformation similar to that of digitalisation in PET scanning has been witnessed in the United States and Germanys markets and it is expected that this will increase the revenue of the Positron Emission Tomography sector by $81 million by 2030.

  • The PET sector is due to grow by $2.2 billion over the ten years 2025 2035, with makers of the technology aiming to obtain the largest market share through their sales of PET systems for cardiology and neurological studies.

  • The growing incidence of cancer coupled with the enhanced capabilities of medical imaging technologies are expected to lead to a 93% rise in the Positron Emission Tomography market between 2025 and 2035.

positron emission tomography market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Positron Emission Tomography - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Positron Emission Tomography

Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease diagnosis often start with a PET/MRI scan in the European healthcare system. Growing populations in Germany, France and Italy are driving demand for specialist neurological facilities, including precision medicine and the latest neuroimaging techniques. The global PET/MRI market is also forecast to expand from $0.56 billion in 2025 to $0.84 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4%, which is the highest rate among PET technologies. Tertiary hospitals with neurodegenerative applications can therefore expect the fastest growth, especially when they work alongside pharmaceutical companies in the biomarkers region to produce a product.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

In North America PET is primarily used in cancer diagnosis. PET/CT scans are also increasingly used in cardiology and neurology to improve diagnosis. Key region's of growth are upgrading existing PET scanners to digital PET, expanding clinics that specialise in nuclear medicine and building the use of molecular imaging in clinical practice. Other opportunities lie in the development of outpatient nuclear medicine facilities specialising in cancer and heart disease and the application of AI in the field. The market is very competitive with big multinationals and companies specialising in software and radiopharmaceuticals competing for image quality, workflow, maintenance and diagnostic capabilities. Differentiation in the market is achieved through PET/MRI, cloud based analysis and dose optimised imaging protocols which are tailored for neurology and oncology. This region offers a highly favourable environment for PET scanners due to the high incidence of cancer, high reimbursement rates for the latest diagnostic imaging equipment, numerous clinical trials and established supply chains for radiopharmaceuticals. It also offers opportunities for investment in the fields of AI, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiology.
Pet imaging is a growing market in the Asia Pacific region due to an ageing population and a high incidence of diseases which are often the result of lifestyle choices. High demand for PET scanning in the field of cancer diagnosis, as well as in cardiology and neurology, is being observed. PET/CT scanners will be more attractive to buyers if they are cheaper and the PET scanning service is moved to towns other than the main ones, or if the PET scanners travel from town to town. The competitive landscape in PET scanners is characterised by a mixture of large international manufacturers and a number of growing regional companies that sell at a lower price and offer services tailored to the local market. This competition pushes manufacturers to produce unique products, to offer flexible payment methods and to integrate their products with the existing hospital computer systems. Government backed investments in cancer facilities, the development of new payment structures for PET scanning and the growing awareness of the value of PET scans in neurological and heart disease diagnosis create new opportunities in the field of cancer diagnosis. In addition, there is a growing trend for people to travel abroad for medical treatment, which will provide new business opportunities in this region. The company believes it is well placed to take advantage of these trends through its PET scanners and partnerships with medical institutions. These partnerships would allow the company to provide training, maintenance and other forms of support to customers, as well as to help them to adopt new PET CT and PET MRI scanners.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Demand for Early Precise Diagnostics

A key driver for the positron emission tomography market is also the growing global burden of chronic diseases alongside rising demand for early and accurate diagnostic imaging. Increasing incidence of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular conditions is also pushing hospitals and diagnostic centers to adopt PET technology for early detection, staging, and therapy monitoring, as PET reveals metabolic changes before structural abnormalities. At the same time, technological advancements in PET systems and radiopharmaceuticals.
Innovations in hybrid PET imaging technology and radiotracer development are also also vital market drivers. Integration of PET with CT and MRI scanning enhances diagnostic accuracy by combining functional and anatomical data in a single exam. Improved detector technologies such as digital PET with higher sensitivity and the introduction of novel radiopharmaceuticals targeting specific biomarkers broaden PET applications in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. These advancements increase clinical confidence, support expanded usage in personalized medicine, and foster greater adoption in advanced healthcare facilities worldwide.
02

Restraint: High capital investment and operational costs restrict PET technology adoption

The substantial costs of acquiring, installing, and maintaining positron emission tomography systems create a persistent barrier for many healthcare providers. Complete PET setups often demand multi‑million dollar investments in scanners, facility modifications, shielding and radiopharmaceutical supply, discouraging smaller hospitals and clinics from adoption. High per‑scan operational expenses also challenge reimbursement adequacy, which can dampen demand and slow market revenue growth, particularly in emerging and resource‑limited regions.
03

Opportunity: Cardiac PET services remain underpenetrated for diabetic and obese patients in Brazil and Mexico hospitals and Positron Emission Tomography oncology imaging demand is rising in public cancer hospitals across India and ASEAN

The rates of rise in cardiovascular disease and diabetes are greater in Brazil and Mexico than are improvements in access to cardiac imaging facilities. Perfusion studies by PET are mainly carried out in a few research centres, leaving towns of lesser importance poorly served in the process. For cardiology departments, low cost PET systems which are supplied with radiopharmaceuticals distribution and remote reading capabilities offer a more affordable entry into the field of nuclear medicine. Worldwide PET scanner sales will be worth $0.31 billion by 2030, having grown from $0.25 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.82%. Growth in Latin America will be led by hybrid imaging modalities.
PET usage in India and South East Asia is much below the requirements in cancer treatment, particularly in government run hospitals which treat cancer. The market for cost optimized PET/CT systems and related services such as maintenance contracts and training is set to grow. By 2030, the PET/CT market is forecast to reach $2.08 billion, having grown from $1.51 billion in 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.5%. This growth is attributed to the Asia Pacific region where cancer diagnosis through screening programmes is expected to increase. Key partnerships with state supported diagnostic laboratories will be essential in this context.
04

Challenge: Regulatory complexity and reimbursement limitations slow market expansion

Stringent regulatory oversight for PET equipment and short‑lived radiotracers, paired with inconsistent reimbursement policies across regions, limits broader clinical use. Lengthy approval processes delay the launch of new systems and tracers, and restricted insurance coverage for non‑oncology PET scans reduces clinician and patient uptake. These factors constrain investment in innovative PET technologies, weaken demand behavior, and hinder revenue growth in cardiology and neurology applications. 

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Radiopharmaceuticals Supply

Cardinal HealthCurium PharmaBracco Imaging
2

Positron Emission Tomography

GE HealthCareSiemens Healthineers AGKoninklijke Philips N.V
3

Molecular Imaging Services

Canon Medical Systems Corp.United Imaging Healthcare Co. Ltd
4

Clinical PET Applications

oncology imagingcardiology diagnosticsneurology research
Positron Emission Tomography - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Positron Emission Tomography in Oncology Diagnostics & Cardiology

Oncology Diagnostics : In oncology diagnostics, positron emission tomography is widely used through PET CT systems in hospitals and dedicated cancer centers to detect, stage, and monitor tumors with high metabolic sensitivity. FDG PET imaging is the most commonly used approach, enabling precise assessment of cancer activity and treatment response. Key players such as Siemens Healthineers, GE HealthCare, and Philips dominate this segment, supported by strong radiotracer compatibility, advanced image reconstruction, and extensive global installation bases.
Cardiology : In cardiology, PET is primarily utilized via PET CT systems for myocardial perfusion imaging and assessment of coronary artery disease. Cardiac PET offers superior quantification of blood flow, reduced scan time, and higher diagnostic accuracy compared to SPECT, especially in obese or high risk patients. Leading providers including GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, and Canon Medical Systems hold strong positions due to their optimized cardiac protocols, reliable scanners, and integration with advanced cardiac imaging software.
Neurology : In neurology, PET systems are extensively used in academic hospitals and neurology centers to evaluate brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. PET CT scanners using specialized tracers enable early detection of metabolic and amyloid changes before structural symptoms appear. Companies such as Siemens Healthineers, Philips, and GE HealthCare lead this application through high resolution brain imaging, robust neuro software platforms, and strong collaboration with research institutions and pharmaceutical developers.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in positron emission tomography (PET) highlight innovation in hybrid imaging, AI integration, and tracer expansion. Leading providers such as GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, and Philips are launching AI‑enhanced digital PET/CT platforms that improve diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and lesion detectability, particularly in oncology, cardiology, and neurology applications. The increasing deployment of total‑body PET systems and AI‑driven image reconstruction reflects a key market trend toward advanced molecular imaging that delivers faster scans, lower radiation doses, and broader clinical utility across diagnostic pathways. 

May 2025 : GE HealthCare secured a multi‑hospital contract to supply PET/CT systems and ongoing service across a major European health network, reflecting growing institutional demand for scalable positron emission tomography imaging platforms and strengthening GE’s clinical footprint in advanced molecular imaging.
September 2024 : GE HealthCare’s Flyrcado (flurpiridaz F‑18) PET myocardial perfusion imaging agent received FDA approval, enhancing cardiac PET diagnostics by offering improved detection of coronary artery disease and expanding clinical applications in cardiology imaging.
January 2024 : Canon Medical Systems received FDA clearance for its Celesteion PET/CT system, designed to provide high‑quality imaging for oncology and cardiology applications, bolstering its presence in the U.S. PET market.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Positron Emission Tomography Market

As a core segment of the Medical Device industry, the Positron Emission Tomography market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Digitalization of PET Scanning and Expansion of AI and Quantitative Imaging have redefined priorities across the Medical Device sector, influencing how the Positron Emission Tomography market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Digitalization of PET Scanning

The rapid digitalisation of PET technology is expected to bring about significant change in the PET sector, technologically and on the supply side. Digitalisation of PET technology is expected to generate $81 million by 2030 in the United States and Germany. Advances in digital PET scanners and hybrid PET CT systems have improved image resolution, reduced the time it takes to acquire images and provided more accurate measurements. This has enhanced nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging for the diagnosis of cancer and interventional cardiology devices. By achieving this transition healthcare providers can boost efficiency in workflow and patient movement, allowing the staff to use PET scan facilities to the fullest and enhance their market presence. With their presence now felt across the pet industry, digital platforms are creating premium markets for imaging solutions based on data and helping early adopters strengthen their market positions.
02

Expansion of AI and Quantitative Imaging

The PET industry is increasingly adopting AI-driven analytics and quantitative imaging for improved image reconstruction, automated lesion detection, and workflow optimization. This shift enhances diagnostic accuracy, reduces scan time, and lowers radiation exposure, particularly in oncology and cardiology applications. The transition has impacted medical software vendors and PACS system providers, who now integrate AI tools for predictive analytics and clinical decision support. Radiopharmaceutical companies also benefit as AI-guided protocols optimize tracer usage and scheduling. Hospitals and research centers gain operational efficiency, enabling high-volume imaging and supporting personalized medicine initiatives in drug development and therapeutic monitoring.