Post mortem examinations

2024

Global Pathology Services Market Growth to $35.41 Billion

In 2024, costs in the global market for pathological services reached $35.41 billion. More than a third of this amount was provided by the North American region. Such data are provided in a Fortune Business Insights study, the results of which were published on November 12, 2025.

Pathological anatomy is a field of medicine that studies diseases by examining organs, tissues and cells. In particular, analysis of individual cells (cytopathology) or microscopic examination of tissue samples (histopathology) can be performed. Pathological anatomy, in particular, is used in the diagnosis of cancer by examining biopsy and surgical material. In the scientific field, the approach is used to develop new diagnostic methods based on molecular, genetic and immunohistochemical studies.

One of the main drivers of the market, the authors of the study call the increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, primarily cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in five people get cancer during their lifetime. At the same time, every ninth man and every twelfth woman die from malignant formations. In 2022, approximately 20 million new cases of cancer were registered. It is expected that by 2050 the figure will rise to 35 million, that is, it will increase by 77%. Against this background, the need for post-mortem examinations increases, which contributes to an increase in sales of specialized equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, automatic painting and filling stations, image analysis systems, etc.

Technological advances have a positive impact on the industry. Advanced methods of early diagnosis and screening allow doctors to detect suspicious neoplasms in patients in the initial stages, which increases the chances of successful treatment. The integration of artificial intelligence helps in the processing of huge amounts of heterogeneous medical information, including data from post-mortem examinations.

Other stimulating factors include the transition to precision medicine, the expansion of health infrastructure in a number of regions and government support programs. On the other hand, regulatory barriers and high costs associated with the purchase and implementation of advanced pathological solutions have a chilling effect. In addition, the emergence of effective replacement technologies is observed.

Analysts segment the market into products and services: in 2024, more than half of revenue came from the first of these areas. Depending on the scope of application, the diagnosis of diseases, the development of drugs and other areas stand out: the first sector dominates with a share of more than 70%. Geographically, North America leads with 36%, or $12.75 billion. Significant industry players on a global scale are:

• Cardinal Health;
• Hoffmann-La Roche;
• Avantor;
• Danaher;
• SLMP;
• Agilent Technologies;
• Indica Labs;
• Hologic.

In 2025, the market for pathological services is expected to reach $37.74 billion. At the same time, the United States will have $11.83 billion, the Asia-Pacific region - $11.07 billion, and Europe - $9.33 billion. Costs in Latin America will reach $2.38 billion. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 7.5%. Thus, by 2032, expenses may increase to about $62.63 billion.^[1]

How the digitalization of pathology is taking place in Russia

In August 2024, it became known how digital technologies are actively being introduced into the pathology in Russia. The Institute of Clinical Morphology and Digital Pathology of Sechenov University implements large-scale digitalization, which changes the usual approaches to the diagnosis and study of pathologies. With the help of modern technologies, specialists create new tools to increase the accuracy of diagnostics and minimize errors in making diagnoses.

According to the press service of the university, the key elements of digitalization were the development and use of histoscans - digitized images of biopsies. These images are processed and stored digitally, creating a database that has more than 30 terabytes. Digitized histological images not only facilitate analysis, but also allow doctors from different parts of the world to jointly discuss complex cases and share experiences. This was made possible by the creation of a digital morphological space that combines specialists and data into a single network.

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Фото: Freepik

The Institute is actively working on the development of systems for supporting medical decision-making (SPPVR) based on artificial intelligence. These systems are trained on the basis of digitized data and help pathologists diagnose diseases faster and more accurately. An important aspect of the work is the creation of specialized datacets that are used to train neural networks. These neural networks can then independently recognize pathologies on histoscans and offer possible diagnoses. To date, more than five annotated and ten unannounced datacets have been developed, which are actively used to train AI systems.

Digital technology also allows for sophisticated research, such as the creation of digital disease twins. As part of this work, the development of a digital twin of colorectal cancer is underway, which contributes to improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition, the institute's specialists are engaged in the examination of neural networks and the development of solutions based on them, which opens up new opportunities in medical diagnostics.^[2]

2023:18 pathologists in Bryansk received real terms for extorting money from relatives of the dead

Pathologists of the Bryansk Regional Hospital No. 1 received real terms for providing paid services to the relatives of the deceased. This was announced on December 4, 2023 by the joint press service of the courts of general jurisdiction of the Bryansk region. Read more here.

2020: An increase in the number of post-mortem autopsies by 41%, to 684.7 thousand.

In 2020, 684.7 thousand pathological autopsies were carried out in Russia against 486.7 thousand in 2019. The high growth (by 41%) is due to studies of the bodies of those who died from COVID-19 coronavirus - 160.2 thousand cases, or 15.5% of the total. Such data in June 2021 were provided in a report prepared by the Central Research Institute of Organization and Informatization health care (). TSNIIOIZ

According to the study, the total number of autopsies in 2020 turned out to be 87.3% more than the target of 468.2 per 100 thousand people. Defects in the provision of medical care in the form of a discrepancy between clinical and pathological diagnoses were identified in 4.4% of cases.

The number of lifetime pathological examinations of biopsy material in 2020 reached 6.65 million, which is 21.3% less than a year ago. The decline was due to a pandemic, due to which the volume of medical care provided as planned was reduced.

According to TsNIIOIZ, in 2020, 3,264 pathologists worked in Russia, which is + 1.6% more than a year earlier. The average part-time ratio was 1.92, and the average total burden per doctor was 4.36 rate norms. The report emphasizes that an acute shortage of specialized doctors remains in the country - there are not enough 2,432 specialists "taking into account the average part-time ratio of 2.5."

Earlier in 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation reported that almost 3 thousand pathologists are missing in the country's medical institutions. In general, in the Russian Federation, according to the department, the provision of full-time posts for pathologists is just over 50%. In addition, there is also a deterioration in the resource base of pathological departments. In particular, the provision of basic technological equipment in the country averages 32.7% and "still remains extremely low relative to the targets."^[3]

See also

• Thanathoradiology

Notes