Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is frequently used for soft tissue since it can easily detect small tumours that might be harder to see with a CT scan or X-ray. CT scans and X-rays, on the other hand, are better for bone and lung structures.
MRI technology is also advancing using AI, which assists medical doctors with image reconstruction, workflow efficiency, and automated measurements.
We’ve researched the latest trends and statistics to help you understand how they help detect cancer.
Latest MRI Statistics
- The market is projected to hit USD 11.69 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.1% from 2024 to 2032.1
- High-strength units and the availability of open MRI for claustrophobic patients drive this market.1
- There are over 70 MRIs worldwide.1
- Due to its more accurate nature, the market for closed MRI systems dominates.1
- Brain and neurological MRIs account for the largest share of revenues.1
- By region, Asia-Pacific dominates (45.8% share and fastest-growing region) due to the rising patient population and growing uptake of innovative diagnostics.1
- Americans hold the largest market on account of a prevalence of chronic diseases that reaches over 29% globally.1
The Future of the MRI Industry
U.S. has the largest market share in the MRI industry as a result of extreme numbers of chronic diseases found globally, accounting for more than 29% of the burden.
Cancer, cardiovascular disease, or neurological disorders are only some examples of slowly progressing or long-lasting diseases that pose challenges to the healthcare system by accumulating millions of people each year who require additional MRI scans for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning.
The high prevalence of these diseases in Americans, along with a well-developed healthcare system and access to modern technology, results in a demand for MRI equipment and services, thus accounting for the largest market share.
Open and closed MRI systems are also a new trend to watch out for. Chronic illnesses regularly involve intricate, broad imaging to empower accurate analysis and long-term monitoring, which is why such complex MRI technology is necessary.
High-strength MRI machines offer more detail and provide a better-quality image to aid in the recognition and treatment of complicated conditions such as cancer or nervous disorders.
A further benefit of open MRI machines is that they allow for a more relaxed experience when imaging claustrophobic patients while maintaining quality. MRI is an incredibly important component of a care platform for chronic diseases.
It also illustrates how vital it is that MRI provides clinicians with what they need to deliver the best possible healthcare results in all areas.
Breast Cancer Detection Statistics
- American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that all women at age 40 should have screening for breast cancer every year.6
- 22 cancers per 1000 screens mean ten times the rate of mammography in average-risk women and twice as high in high-risk women.6
- Increased demand for breast MRIs and shortage of radiologists have resulted in an extended waiting period, delaying diagnosis.6
- Machine learning can increase the sensitivity of MRI interpretations for breast cancer detection, reduce false positives/negatives, and help radiologists detect breast cancer.6
A Breast Cancer Detection Study
Bio Med Central conducted a breast cancer detection study to understand how MRIs work. The study evaluated the ability of MRI to identify any residual cancer in breast cancer patients who may have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and questioned the influence of clinical and pathological parameters on MRI in terms of evaluating the size of the residual tumor.
The study involved 91 patients with breast cancer (92 tumors in total) who underwent NAC. Pre- and post-treatment MRI scans were conducted. MRI and histological examination controlled patients’ outcomes.
For 89 tumors, the post-treatment tumor volume, according to MRI, was more significant than the actual tumor size, according to pathology data obtained during treatment. The researchers also examined other clinicopathological variables to determine which impacted the measurement disparity observed between MRI and pathology.
MRI demonstrated an accuracy of 76.09% in detecting invasive residual disease with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 78.57%, positive predictive value of 88.89%, and negative predictive value of 57.89%.
The tumor size estimated by MRI was driven with the sizes analyzed by pathology. The MRI was more accurate in measuring residual tumor size for the tumor that is < 5 cm on the initial MRI, high grade, and HER2-negative breast cancer.
The study established that MRI is usually accurate in predicting tumor response to NAC based on its size, grade, and hormonal receptor status at the start of the treatment.
MRI Statistics By Country
- In MRI density, Japan has 57 units per million people, trailed by Korea at 36 and the United States at 28. 3
- In contrast, Mexico and Colombia have much lower densities; Mexico's is 3 per million, while Colombia's is 0.2 per million. 3
- MRI scan costs can range from $500 to $4,000, depending on the region, the service and the healthcare provider.3
- The U.S. performs about 40 million scans annually. 3
- In 2017, Hitachi was responsible for 3% of the global diagnostic imaging market, which is anticipated to decrease to 2.7% by 2024. 3
- The market is ruled by Siemens Healthineers, General Electric Healthcare, and Philips, which are all expected to hold market shares of about 20%. 3
- The $40 billion global diagnostic imaging market is driven by the significant need to detect chronic health conditions primarily affecting aging populations. 2
The Rise in the MRI Industry
The $40 billion worldwide diagnostic imaging market is growing due to the enhanced necessity of detecting chronic health conditions, primarily in the aging population. An increased lifespan is connected to people becoming ever more sensitive to health issues such as cancer, heart troubles, and disorders related to the nervous system.
The ability to detect these disorders in early stages through diagnostic imaging methods, including MRI and CT scans, is crucial for managing these problems.
The demand for high-end imaging technology is accelerating market growth as healthcare systems reinforce the importance of preventive care and quick diagnosis for enhanced patient outcomes.
Hitachi’s Advancements
According to Hitachi’s creators, with two asymmetric pillars, Hitachi's open-platform OASIS™ MRI is unique among its peers. It provides a large and clear panoramic view for patients, which is a huge advantage for those who suffer from claustrophobia or general anxiety and a better experience for most people.
The first open MRI in the MENA region with a 1.2 Tesla magnet was installed recently at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. The proper installation comes with significant improvements to the center, all of which have occurred since its installation.
Scanning times have been cut from 40 minutes on older systems to just 15 – 18 minutes for musculoskeletal scans with OASIS™. The efficiency has increased patient volume in the center from 12 patients per day to 25, which has complemented the health system's business.
Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (WB-MRI) Statistics
- WB-MRI can identify tumors in areas not included in existing programs, with up to 10% diagnosis rates. 4
- In 12 analyses involving 5,809 subjects, the cancer detection rate was 2.0%, and 1.5% of 3,287 participants were diagnosed with confirmed malignancies.4
- Asymptomatic research participants showed a detection rate for cancer ranging from 0% to 10%.4
- Research from 2014 regarding 1,102 cancer patients found that WB-MRI is sensitive at 0.94 in identifying bone metastases.4
- An analysis involving 2,500 people showed that WB-MRI detected possible problems in 2.5% of situations, with confirmed malignant tumors using histology.4
The success of whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) in detecting tumors is frequently outside the reach of established cancer screening programs.
According to research studies that use WB-MRI, the diagnosis rate for cancer may rise to 10%, which makes it an essential technique for spotting malignant tumors in organs that are often overlooked by standard screening procedures, like mammography or colonoscopy.
This points out the likely powers of WB-MRI to spot cancers sooner and in areas that are customarily missed in other examinations.
Asymptomatic volunteers' WB-MRI screening rates for cancer can vary greatly, ranging from 0% to 10%. The variance is probably due to variations in study size, imaging techniques, and the populations studied.
The results point to the potential of WB-MRI in helping detect cancer in people with no overt symptoms; nonetheless, results can vary greatly due to the variance in study criteria and sample size, making further study essential to pinpoint its standard usage.
The WB-MRI Study
The objective of the Hercules research study, driven by Prenuvo, is to show the success of whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) in identifying early-stage diseases when patients are asymptomatic.
“There is some confusion when it comes to whole-body MRIs due to the widely different hardware employed, acquisition sequences used, and radiological approaches.”
Over ten years, this study will gather data on its diagnostic reliability, which might redefine healthcare by moving from reactive to proactive care. Through its advanced imaging technology, Prenuvo’s WB-MRI generates over a billion data points and is meant to detect health problems all over the body.
With backing from prominent investors, the study aims to prove WB-MRI to be critical in personalized medicine and early disease detection.
“The Hercules clinical research study will utilize Prenuvo’s brand of whole-body MRI based on years of clinical practice to demonstrate the potential of this technology in becoming a cornerstone of early disease detection and personalized medicine, further validating and paving the way for a more proactive approach to healthcare.”
MRI Cancer Detection Trends
- Emerging MRI technologies, including AI integration and helium-less systems, are sometimes reducing exam times, though the exact reduction depends on the system and procedure.5
- The market analysis reveals that the MRI market is expected to grow rapidly, with increased demand at 47% annually. 5
- 5T remains the largest segment in the MRI systems market, and 3T systems are widely used.5
- Using Helium-Free MRI Systems.5
- United Imaging occupies 8% of the Asian market, far behind all-embracing market players such as Siemens, General Electric, Philips, and Canon.5
- Artificial intelligence improves MRI technology in MRI systems and the accompanying post-processing software. 5
The Future Trends of MRIs
AI’s advanced reconstruction methods can notably boost the quality of images. This technology's patient positioning features and automation of duties specialized for medical subspecialties, specifically cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics, support workflow enhancement.
AI aids healthcare personnel in accelerating their workflows and automating metrics, therefore yielding more accurate results and contributing to streamlined diagnoses and treatments.
MRI systems without helium are relatively new advancements in the medical imaging industry. These MRI machines use liquid helium to cool the superconducting magnets, although helium is expensive and has become rare. Helium-free systems make it possible to do away with using helium, thereby cutting costs and improving efficiency.
They employed sophisticated cooling technologies that do not need constant maintenance and constant refilling with helium; hence, they are environmentally friendly, which can also help reduce the time the machines could take off, thus improving the delivery of health care services to the patients.
“The ability to provide high-strength MRI fields without the need for the supercooling by liquid helium should lower the costs for these systems and be a more sustainable and cost-efficient option for MRI devices.”
Due to their widespread availability and cost-effectiveness for many clinical needs, 1.5T (Tesla) machines dominate the MRI systems industry. 3T systems provide superior resolution and are commonly seen in neurological and musculoskeletal applications.
While 7T MRI systems are extremely powerful and can yield impressively detailed images, they are mainly used for research because of their higher cost and complexity.
Moving Forward
MRIs will likely maintain their essential function in cancer detection, offer significant insights into early diagnosis, and inform treatment strategies. The more advanced AI and other technologies are utilized, the more significant the improvement in MRI scans' sharpness and efficiency will be.
Also, the technology of MRI systems that do not require helium has been supporting reductions in operational expenses and ecological impact, improving the accessibility of MRI technology in health facilities globally.
This new direction highlights the effort for more environmentally friendly initiatives while sustaining top-quality diagnostic imaging.
In the upcoming years, utilizing AI and cutting-edge technology within MRI systems will likely contribute to the advancement of cancer detection. These advances will probably shorten diagnostic timelines and boost precision, helping clinicians focus on more complicated problems.
As MRI technologies develop, they will become increasingly vital in early cancer detection and customized treatment, thus improving the chances of survival. At Aeon, we provide full body scans that can help with early detection of major illnesses.
Book a scan with us today and take a step towards a healthier you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for finding cancer, CT or MRI?
A CT scan is more useful for showing bones, the area of the lungs, and any tumors, while an MRI is more useful for showing soft tissues and distinguishing between malignant and normal tissues.
How do doctors tell you you have cancer?
Doctors often discuss this with patients after using a number of different tests, which could include biopsy, blood test, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They relay the results in person, more often during the later consultation.
Can a full-body MRI detect all cancers?
A full-body MR scan can identify more than one type of cancer, though it is not likely to find all types. Some cancers are small or in body locations that are not easily imaged.
What is the hardest cancer to detect?
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose because it does not present symptoms until the cancer is already at an advanced stage.
What color does cancer show up on MRI?
A specific color onan MRI does not indicate cancer itself, but it may appearto bes a darker or lighter shade compared with other tissue depending on the MRI scanning technique used and the type of contrast, if any.
Can MRI results be seen immediately?
Unlike X-ray images, MRI images might be obtained in real-time, but the radiologist takes time to study them and compile a report. It usually takes 1-2 weeks.
