Image-Guided Biopsy Market By Imaging Modality (Ultrasound-guided, CT-guided, MRI-guided, Stereotactic-guided); By Application (Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Musculoskeletal & Others); By End User (Hospitals, Outpatient Imaging Centers, Specialty Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Image-Guided Biopsy Market will witness a steady CAGR of 6.4% , valued at USD 1.12 billion in 2024 and projected to reach around USD 1.63 billion by 2030 , according to Strategic Market Research.

 

This market is at the intersection of two crucial healthcare shifts — rising cancer burden and precision diagnostics. Biopsies are no longer generic. For oncologists, pulmonologists, and interventional radiologists, image-guided methods now define the standard of care. Whether it’s detecting early-stage lung lesions or navigating deep-seated tumors near vital structures, the need for visual precision is driving rapid innovation across imaging and procedural tools.

 

Advanced imaging modalities like CT, MRI, PET-CT, and real-time ultrasound are increasingly being paired with biopsy systems to improve targeting accuracy and reduce false negatives. Hospitals are investing in fusion imaging platforms that combine real-time ultrasound with pre-acquired CT or MRI data. That’s particularly important in soft tissue biopsies where anatomical shifts can affect needle placement.

 

There’s also growing urgency in the clinical setting. Cancer incidence is rising globally, especially breast, lung, prostate, and liver cancers — all of which benefit from image-guided sampling. What’s more, these procedures are moving out of the operating room. Many are now done under local anesthesia in radiology suites or outpatient surgical centers , reducing recovery time and cost.

 

Another driver is the evolution of precision medicine. Clinicians need not just confirmation of malignancy — they need tissue that’s viable for molecular testing. That means biopsy tools must retrieve more tissue, with minimal trauma. Image-guided approaches help clinicians hit the right spot the first time, increasing diagnostic yield and reducing repeat procedures.

 

From a policy lens, payers and health systems are aligning around diagnostic efficiency. Reimbursement policies in the U.S., EU, and parts of Asia now favor minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. Emerging markets like Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia are ramping up biopsy infrastructure as part of their cancer screening programs.

 

Original equipment manufacturers, software vendors, and health systems all have skin in the game. OEMs are embedding AI into imaging platforms to improve lesion visibility. Radiology departments are training staff in cross-modality navigation. Investors are betting on mobile biopsy units for rural outreach.

 

To be honest, this market isn’t driven by volume alone. It’s being pulled forward by accuracy. As biopsy becomes the launchpad for personalized therapy, the margin for error is shrinking — and image guidance is quickly becoming non-negotiable.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The image-guided biopsy market is segmented by modality, application, end user, and geography. These dimensions reflect how different clinical environments adopt imaging support to improve biopsy accuracy, speed, and safety — especially for challenging anatomical targets.

By Imaging Modality

• Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy: The workhorse of image-guided biopsy. Widely used for breast, thyroid, and superficial soft tissues. Its real-time capabilities, lack of radiation, and low cost make it ideal for outpatient settings and developing markets.

• CT-Guided Biopsy: The standard for lung, liver, and deep abdominal lesions. Offers superior depth control and anatomical accuracy — particularly for lesions near critical structures or in obese patients.

• MRI-Guided Biopsy: Still niche but expanding fast. Most often used in neuro-oncology and prostate cancer, where soft tissue contrast is essential. Gaining ground in hospitals with multiparametric MRI capability.

• Stereotactic-Guided Biopsy: Primarily used in breast procedures, especially for microcalcifications not visible on ultrasound. Increasingly paired with digital breast tomosynthesis for enhanced spatial resolution.

In 2024, ultrasound-guided biopsy holds approximately 43% of total market share, but MRI-guided biopsy is the fastest-growing segment, driven by prostate cancer screening and neuro-oncology applications.

 

By Application

• Oncology: By far the largest use case. Solid tumors — including those in the breast, lung, liver, and prostate — demand precise sampling for histopathology, biomarker testing, and treatment planning. Accounts for over 70% of all image-guided biopsy procedures in 2024.

• Infectious Diseases: Used in abscess drainage and deep lesion sampling in TB, fungal infections, or parasitic conditions. Particularly relevant in immunocompromised patients and developing countries.

• Musculoskeletal and Other Uses: Includes biopsies of bone lesions, synovial tissue, and autoimmune markers. Also covers diagnostic sampling in sarcoma, sports medicine, and unexplained inflammation.

The oncology segment dominates, but non-oncologic indications are gaining traction in orthopedic clinics, infectious disease units, and rheumatology settings.

 

By End User

• Hospitals: The primary setting for high-risk, deep-tissue, or multi-modality procedures. Most large hospitals now have interventional radiology suites that support advanced imaging workflows and coordinate closely with pathology labs.

• Outpatient Imaging Centers: A rapidly growing segment — especially in North America, Japan, and Germany — focused on high-volume procedures like breast and thyroid biopsies. Favored for cost-effectiveness, shorter wait times, and same-day service.

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs): Handle procedures requiring mild sedation or fluoroscopy, such as prostate and liver biopsies. Smaller footprint but high efficiency for specific use cases.

• Specialty Clinics: Oncology networks and multispecialty clinics are increasingly integrating in-house biopsy capabilities to reduce diagnostic delays and streamline care.

Outpatient imaging centers are projected to see the highest CAGR through 2030, driven by decentralization of diagnostic services and insurer incentives for lower-cost procedures.

 

By Region

• North America: The largest regional market. High availability of imaging infrastructure, trained interventional radiologists, and favorable reimbursement policies. The U.S. dominates volume and innovation — especially in lung and breast cancer diagnostics.

• Europe: Strong adoption in Western Europe due to national cancer screening programs and device standardization under EU MDR. Eastern Europe lags in access but is investing in urban diagnostic hubs.

• Asia Pacific: Fastest-growing regional market. China, Japan, and South Korea are expanding access to CT- and ultrasound-guided biopsy — particularly for lung and liver diagnostics. India’s growth is tiered — strong in metros, limited elsewhere.

• Latin America: Moderate uptake with high concentration in private systems. Brazil leads, but public sector infrastructure and training still need scaling.

• Middle East & Africa: Two-speed development. Gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in AI-enabled imaging, while sub-Saharan Africa remains limited to basic ultrasound-guided procedures in urban tertiary centers.

The real inflection point will come from emerging markets investing in portable imaging, local training programs, and mobile diagnostic units — closing the infrastructure gap for guided procedures.

 

Scope Note: These segmentations aren’t static. For example, some vendors now offer fusion biopsy solutions that combine real-time ultrasound with pre-acquired MRI — blurring traditional modality lines. Similarly, molecular pathology labs are influencing biopsy device design by demanding higher-quality, undamaged samples for sequencing.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The image-guided biopsy market is going through a quiet but powerful evolution — not just in devices, but in how diagnostic certainty is achieved. What was once a manual, highly operator-dependent task is becoming smarter, faster, and more data-driven. Innovation is focused on three main fronts: improving accuracy, reducing complications, and enabling tissue analysis that goes beyond traditional pathology.

AI integration is now reaching imaging-guided biopsy platforms.

In the past, lesion targeting relied heavily on radiologist skill. But machine learning tools are now assisting with lesion segmentation, needle path planning, and even real-time movement compensation during procedures. These tools don’t replace radiologists — they support them in hitting hard-to-reach or low-contrast lesions, especially in the lungs or liver. Some platforms are training algorithms on thousands of annotated biopsy cases to refine risk scoring before the first puncture is made.

 

Tissue preservation is another major focus.

As biopsy tissue is increasingly used for next- gen sequencing, RNA analysis, and proteomics, the standard “core” samples aren’t always enough. New vacuum-assisted systems and coaxial needles are being designed to extract higher-quality tissue with minimal crush artifact. This is particularly relevant in lung and pancreatic biopsies, where sample integrity directly impacts treatment selection.

 

Fusion imaging is moving from research centers into mainstream care.

Systems that combine real-time ultrasound with pre-acquired CT, PET, or MRI allow clinicians to target lesions that are otherwise invisible in a single modality. This is making a difference in prostate cancer and liver metastases, where lesion heterogeneity demands multi-modal insight.

 

Vendors are also pushing compact, mobile solutions.

In regions where full-size CT or MRI access is limited, portable ultrasound and cone-beam CT systems are being used to bring image-guided biopsy to the bedside. Some are even targeting field settings for pulmonary or lymph node biopsy in mobile screening units.

 

A subtle but growing trend is robotic-assisted biopsy.

While still early-stage, several platforms now offer robotic arms that stabilize the needle during deep organ biopsies or allow for multiple-angle approaches in dense tissue environments. The appeal is reduced variability and better consistency in complex anatomies.

 

There’s also more work being done in post-biopsy analysis. Smart biopsy devices that log force feedback, needle angle, and resistance are helping create digital records for quality assurance — something that’s becoming important in cancer centers focused on precision diagnostics.

 

Finally, partnerships are shaping the pace of innovation. OEMs are collaborating with AI firms to integrate software directly into imaging consoles. Diagnostic labs are working with biopsy device companies to ensure compatibility with liquid biopsy and multi-omics workflows. And hospital systems are partnering with imaging startups to trial new navigation technologies in thoracic and abdominal procedures.

 

One interventional radiologist put it this way: “We’re no longer aiming blind. These tools are giving us surgical-level precision without the scalpel.”

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The image-guided biopsy market is relatively consolidated among a handful of well-capitalized players, but recent years have seen specialized entrants carving out niches, especially in AI, navigation software, and hybrid imaging systems. The competitive landscape is defined less by price and more by accuracy, reliability, and cross-platform integration.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) holds a strong foothold in the biopsy needle segment, especially for core needle and vacuum-assisted systems. The company’s devices are widely used in both breast and soft tissue procedures across hospitals and outpatient centers . BD’s strength lies in its global distribution and regulatory coverage, allowing for easy adoption in both high- and middle-income countries.

 

Siemens Healthineers

Siemens Healthineers brings advanced imaging integration to the market, especially through its MRI and CT systems paired with interventional capabilities. Its syngo platform and biopsy planning tools are gaining traction in cancer centers that demand fusion imaging and workflow automation. Siemens’ software-centric strategy gives it a differentiation edge as AI becomes more embedded in procedural planning.

 

GE HealthCare

GE HealthCare continues to invest in ultrasound-guided biopsy solutions, especially in portable platforms suitable for outpatient and remote care. The company’s ultrasound systems are favored for their clarity in soft-tissue targeting, particularly in breast, thyroid, and vascular biopsies. GE’s market position is reinforced by longstanding clinical partnerships and consistent upgrades to imaging algorithms.

 

Philips Healthcare

Philips Healthcare is pushing the envelope in image fusion and navigation. Its UroNav platform has helped it become a leader in MRI-ultrasound fusion for prostate biopsies, a growing segment due to PSA screening and rising awareness. The company also integrates cloud-enabled tools to capture and analyze biopsy data for quality assurance.

 

Hologic

Hologic remains a dominant player in breast health, offering stereotactic biopsy systems that are widely used in North America and Europe. It’s also been aggressive in upgrading biopsy tables and handheld guidance tools with real-time digital feedback. Hologic's acquisition strategy has allowed it to expand its offering from detection to intervention — creating end-to-end breast care ecosystems.

 

Argon Medical Devices

Argon Medical Devices focuses on precision biopsy tools and has gained share in lung and liver biopsies. Its coaxial needle systems and specialty devices are designed for interventional radiologists working in difficult anatomical zones. While smaller than the giants, Argon competes well in niche settings where adaptability is critical.

 

Integra LifeSciences

Integra LifeSciences is also worth watching. The company has been developing robotic-assisted and minimally invasive interventional solutions that may reshape how biopsies are approached in neurology and spinal applications. While it’s still a small piece of its portfolio, this segment could expand with the broader push toward precision neurosurgery.

 

From a strategy perspective, most incumbents are moving toward platform ecosystems — not just selling devices, but offering planning software, data analytics, and training modules. New entrants, particularly those backed by VC funds, are betting on AI-guided navigation and smart biopsy sensors.

 

The takeaway? This isn’t just a hardware race anymore. Companies that align devices with data, workflow, and downstream diagnostics are best positioned to win.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

Adoption of image-guided biopsy procedures varies widely by region, driven by healthcare infrastructure, cancer screening protocols, reimbursement dynamics, and access to imaging modalities. While North America continues to lead in advanced procedure volumes, emerging markets are investing in diagnostic expansion — especially in urban tertiary centers .

North America

North America remains the epicenter of image-guided biopsy innovation and volume. The United States accounts for a substantial share, bolstered by widespread availability of high-end imaging systems, trained radiologists, and favorable reimbursement for minimally invasive diagnostic procedures. Breast and lung biopsies — particularly in outpatient settings — are routine across major health networks. Canada's public healthcare system has also adopted image-guided biopsies, though at a slower pace due to imaging wait times. The rise of integrated cancer centers and outpatient diagnostics hubs further supports market maturity.

 

Europe

Europe offers a mixed picture. Western Europe — particularly Germany, France, and the UK — shows strong adoption, with national screening programs and dedicated cancer diagnostic pathways supporting growth. Eastern European countries like Poland and Romania are ramping up investments in image-guided interventions but still face disparities in access, especially in rural hospitals. Regulatory standardization under the EU MDR has increased quality benchmarks for biopsy devices, encouraging hospitals to upgrade systems.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is quickly becoming the fastest-growing region in this space. China’s healthcare reforms and investments in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are expanding access to ultrasound- and CT-guided biopsy procedures. Lung cancer screening, driven by high pollution and smoking prevalence, is particularly boosting demand for CT-guided biopsies. In Japan and South Korea, advanced imaging platforms are common, and AI-assisted navigation is seeing early clinical use. India’s market is still fragmented — large corporate hospitals in metros use image-guided biopsies routinely, while public sector adoption is constrained by budget and specialist availability.

 

Latin America

Latin America shows moderate uptake, with Brazil leading the region. Diagnostic investment is clustered in private health systems and cancer referral centers . Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico are seeing gradual improvements in biopsy accessibility, particularly for breast and liver conditions. Infrastructure limitations, however, still pose challenges for real-time imaging and tissue handling outside urban centers .

 

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa presents a dual-speed market. Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in AI-equipped imaging and biopsy platforms as part of broader digital health transformation. South Africa remains the most mature biopsy market in sub-Saharan Africa, with tertiary hospitals offering CT- and ultrasound-guided procedures. However, in many parts of Africa, access is limited to manual biopsies or visual guidance due to lack of trained personnel and imaging equipment.

 

One of the most promising global shifts is the decentralization of image-guided biopsies. More procedures are being done in outpatient imaging centers or ambulatory surgical settings, especially in urban zones. This is reshaping how regions expand capacity — it’s no longer about building large tertiary hospitals, but about distributing diagnostic capabilities closer to the community.

For emerging markets, the challenge isn’t just access to devices — it’s having the right imaging backbone and trained operators to ensure accuracy and safety.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

Image-guided biopsy adoption depends heavily on the type of healthcare facility, the volume of diagnostic procedures performed, and the clinical specialties involved. End users range from large academic hospitals to lean outpatient imaging centers — each with different motivations for investing in guided biopsy capabilities.

Hospitals

Hospitals , especially tertiary care and teaching institutions, remain the largest users of image-guided biopsy systems. These centers handle a broad spectrum of cases, from early-stage cancers to complex deep-tissue lesions. They often maintain multi-modality imaging suites (CT, MRI, ultrasound) and interventional radiology departments capable of advanced procedures like CT-guided spinal or retroperitoneal biopsies. Hospitals also tend to integrate biopsy workflows with pathology and genomics labs, enabling tissue analysis that supports personalized treatment.

 

Outpatient Imaging Centers

Outpatient imaging centers are gaining momentum, especially in developed markets like the U.S., Germany, and Japan. These facilities are optimized for same-day diagnostics and often focus on high-volume procedures like ultrasound-guided breast, thyroid, and lymph node biopsies. They appeal to payers and patients alike due to shorter wait times, lower cost structures, and procedural efficiency. As reimbursement policies increasingly reward diagnostic throughput and accuracy, outpatient centers are likely to grow their biopsy footprint even further.

 

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) also participate, particularly in procedures requiring mild sedation or fluoroscopy. They’re often chosen for prostate, musculoskeletal, or liver biopsies when done outside a hospital setting. ASCs benefit from faster turnaround and lower overhead, although their imaging infrastructure may be more limited than hospitals.

 

Specialty oncology Clinics

Specialty oncology clinics are beginning to offer on-site image-guided biopsy, particularly in larger networks. The goal is to reduce diagnostic lag time and allow oncologists to access fresh tissue samples without relying on hospital radiology schedules. This model is being explored in integrated cancer care chains in the U.S., India, and Australia.

 

Academic and Research Institutions

Academic and research institutions are early adopters of next-gen technologies like fusion imaging, robotic assistance, and AI-enabled biopsy targeting. These centers often serve as trial sites for advanced systems and play a key role in training the next generation of interventionalists.

 

A realistic use case comes from a tertiary hospital in South Korea that implemented MRI-ultrasound fusion-guided prostate biopsy. The hospital observed a significant improvement in cancer detection rates, especially for clinically significant lesions. Patients with high PSA levels but negative standard biopsies underwent the fusion-guided procedure, which allowed clinicians to better target suspicious regions highlighted in multiparametric MRI scans. The integration of imaging data led to faster diagnosis, avoided unnecessary repeat procedures, and enabled earlier initiation of treatment.

 

End-user dynamics also highlight a training gap. While devices and software are advancing quickly, many centers — particularly in emerging regions — lack trained radiologists or technologists familiar with real-time navigation or multi-modality integration. This has opened up new markets for training services, remote guidance platforms, and user-friendly biopsy planning software.

 

At the end of the day, end users aren’t just looking for better tools — they’re looking for diagnostic confidence that fits their operational realities.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• Siemens Healthineers launched its latest AI-powered biopsy planning tool integrated within its syngo platform, aiming to improve target precision in liver and lung interventions.

• Philips Healthcare announced enhancements to its MRI-ultrasound fusion technology, expanding compatibility to more biopsy needle systems and offering automated lesion registration.

• BD introduced an updated vacuum-assisted biopsy system with improved tissue retrieval for molecular diagnostics, addressing pathology labs’ demand for higher-quality samples.

• GE HealthCare unveiled a compact, mobile ultrasound system designed specifically for image-guided procedures in rural clinics and mobile diagnostic units.

• Hologic received FDA clearance for a digital stereotactic biopsy system with integrated real-time image capture and AI-based lesion scoring — reducing repeat procedures in breast diagnostics.

 

Opportunities

• AI-driven navigation and targeting is becoming a clinical differentiator, especially in thoracic and abdominal biopsies. Startups and OEMs integrating real-time decision support will see faster adoption.

• Expansion of outpatient diagnostic centers is opening new revenue pathways for device makers. Ultrasound and portable CT-based biopsy platforms are in high demand across Asia and North America.

• Next-gen tissue analysis workflows are creating opportunities for vendors who align with molecular pathology labs, especially for cancer genomic testing.

 

Restraints

• High capital cost of imaging systems continues to limit adoption in low- and middle-income countries. Even where need is high, affordability bottlenecks delay procurement.

• Shortage of trained interventional radiologists creates barriers in regions where advanced imaging tools are available but underutilized, slowing procedural uptake.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 1.12 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 1.63 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 6.4% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Imaging Modality, By Application, By End User, By Geography
By Imaging Modality	Ultrasound-guided, CT-guided, MRI-guided, Stereotactic-guided
By Application	Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Musculoskeletal & Others
By End User	Hospitals, Outpatient Imaging Centers, Specialty Clinics, ASCs
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, China, India, Japan, Brazil, UAE, South Africa
Market Drivers	• Growth in cancer incidence and screening programs  • Rising demand for precision diagnostics     • AI integration improving lesion targeting accuracy
Customization Option	Available upon request