Anatomic Pathology Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Histopathology, Cytopathology, Surgical Pathology, Others), By Technique (Special Staining, Immunohistochemistry, Electron Microscopy, Genetic Testing, Others), By Application (Disease Diagnosis, Drug Discovery and Development), By End-User (Hospitals, Research Laboratories, Diagnostic Laboratories, Others) By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 36.09 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.98%
Fastest Growing Segment	Drug Discovery and development
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 57.21 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Anatomic Pathology Market will grow from USD 36.09 Billion in 2025 to USD 57.21 Billion by 2031 at a 7.98% CAGR. Anatomic pathology encompasses the microscopic examination of tissues and cells to study disease progression and guide therapeutic decisions. The market is primarily propelled by the rising global burden of chronic disorders and an aging demographic which increases the demand for biopsy procedures. This consistent growth is supported by the heightened focus on early intervention and preventive healthcare. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, an estimated 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States, highlighting the critical need for accurate pathological analysis.

A substantial barrier to market progress is the shortage of qualified pathologists available to meet the surging diagnostic demand. This workforce deficit restricts the operational capacity of laboratories and causes delays in reporting results which can negatively impact patient care. Consequently, the limited availability of specialized personnel serves as a major restraint that could slow the scalability of anatomic pathology services globally.

Key Market Drivers

The rising global incidence of cancer and chronic diseases serves as the foremost driver propelling the anatomic pathology market, directly necessitating a higher volume of diagnostic procedures. As the prevalence of complex oncological cases increases, laboratories face mounting pressure to process tissue samples rapidly while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy for treatment planning. This demand is further amplified by the critical need for precise tumor staging and grading to support advanced therapeutic regimens. According to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, in February 2024, the global cancer burden was estimated to have reached approximately 20 million new cases in 2022, with projections indicating a 77% surge in incidence by 2050.

Simultaneously, the integration of artificial intelligence and digital pathology solutions is fundamentally transforming laboratory operations by enhancing workflow efficiency and diagnostic precision. By digitizing glass slides and applying machine learning algorithms, pathologists can automate routine tasks, quantify biomarkers more accurately, and mitigate the operational impact of workforce limitations. This technological shift is driving significant industrial consolidation and investment aimed at scaling digital capabilities across healthcare networks. For instance, according to Roche, in September 2024, the company expanded its digital pathology environment by integrating more than 20 advanced AI algorithms from eight collaborators to support cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, reflecting this trend toward tech-enabled services, Quest Diagnostics announced in May 2024 the acquisition of select assets from PathAI Diagnostics to accelerate the adoption of AI solutions throughout its pathology network.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge hampering the growth of the Global Anatomic Pathology Market is the acute shortage of qualified pathologists. This workforce deficit creates a critical bottleneck in the diagnostic workflow, directly restricting the volume of specimens that laboratories can process efficiently. As the demand for biopsy procedures and complex disease analysis rises, the lack of sufficient specialized personnel forces existing staff to operate beyond sustainable capacity. This constraint inevitably leads to delays in test results and limits the ability of pathology services to scale their operations to meet global needs, thereby stifling revenue generation and market expansion efforts.

The magnitude of this operational strain is substantiated by recent industry data. According to the Royal College of Pathologists, in 2025, 60% of consultants reported working beyond their contracted hours to cope with the escalating clinical workload and staff vacancies. This reliance on an overextended workforce highlights the severity of the supply-demand gap. Consequently, laboratories are unable to fully capitalize on the rising diagnostic demand, as the scarcity of experts prevents the seamless adoption of higher caseloads and restricts overall market progression.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of companion diagnostics for precision medicine is fundamentally altering the anatomic pathology market, shifting the focus from morphological diagnosis to molecular-guided therapeutic decision-making. As pharmaceutical companies increasingly co-develop targeted therapies with specific diagnostic assays, laboratories are compelled to implement advanced testing protocols that can accurately identify patients eligible for these treatments. This trend is directly fueled by the robust pipeline of precision medicines which require validated biomarkers for prescription. According to the Personalized Medicine Coalition, February 2024, in the 'Personalized Medicine at FDA: The Scope & Significance of Progress in 2023' report, the FDA approved 16 new personalized treatments for patients with rare diseases in 2023, representing a significant increase that highlights the growing reliance on matched diagnostic-therapeutic pairs in clinical care.

Simultaneously, the convergence of molecular and anatomic pathology diagnostics is driving the integration of comprehensive genomic profiling into routine tissue-based workflows. Pathology laboratories are moving beyond single-analyte testing to adopt next-generation sequencing platforms that can analyze hundreds of genes from a single biopsy, thereby consolidating the diagnostic process and conserving precious tissue samples. This integration enables pathologists to provide a more holistic view of tumor biology and accelerates the delivery of actionable insights for complex oncology cases. Reflecting this shift, according to Illumina, August 2024, in the 'FDA approves Illumina cancer biomarker test with two companion diagnostics' press release, the regulatory body granted approval for the TruSight Oncology Comprehensive test, which profiles over 500 genes to match patients with solid tumors to appropriate targeted therapies.

Segmental Insights

The Drug Discovery and Development segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth within the Global Anatomic Pathology Market due to the rising demand for comprehensive safety assessments in pharmaceutical research. This expansion is driven by the increasing focus on identifying disease markers and evaluating tissue responses during preclinical and clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies utilize pathology services to detect potential adverse effects early in development, helping to mitigate late-stage failures. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration supports the integration of pathology data in toxicity studies, reinforcing the reliance on these diagnostic tools for validating drug efficacy.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Anatomic Pathology Market, driven largely by a robust healthcare infrastructure and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. This dominance is supported by established reimbursement frameworks managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which ensure broad patient access to diagnostic services. Additionally, the region benefits from the significant presence of key market players and government initiatives promoting early disease screening. The continued adoption of digital pathology solutions, aided by clear regulatory pathways from the FDA, further secures North America’s standing as the primary regional market.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, StatLab Medical Products entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Diapath S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer specializing in histology and cytology equipment. This acquisition was intended to expand the company’s global manufacturing capabilities and product portfolio, which includes tissue processors, stainers, and microtomes. The CEO of StatLab highlighted that the combination would allow the company to manufacture a full array of products supporting the entire anatomic pathology workflow and enhance its market access in Europe and the United States. The transaction aimed to leverage combined resources to drive innovation and capture new business opportunities in the global market.
• In July 2024, Philips announced that its IntelliSite Pathology Solution 5.1 had received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This regulatory approval allowed the updated digital pathology platform to be used for primary diagnosis, reinforcing the company's position in the digital workflow market. The solution was designed to support remote collaboration and boost productivity by integrating hardware, software, and storage into a comprehensive system. The Clinical Informatics Business Leader at the company noted that the approval would help laboratories transform their operations and ease the burden on healthcare professionals by facilitating fully digital workflows.
• In June 2024, Roche received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its whole-slide imaging system, the Roche Digital Pathology Dx. The cleared solution encompasses the VENTANA DP 200 slide scanner, proprietary digital pathology workflow software, and a display, which collectively aid pathologists in reviewing and interpreting digital images for clinical diagnosis. The Head of Pathology Lab at the company stated that this clearance represented a foundational step in enabling routine primary diagnosis with digital tools, thereby improving laboratory efficiency and expanding access to pathology services in remote areas.
• In May 2024, Quest Diagnostics announced a multi-faceted collaboration with PathAI to accelerate the adoption of digital and artificial intelligence pathology innovations. Under the definitive agreement, the company acquired select assets of PathAI Diagnostics to convert its digitized laboratory in Memphis into an AI and digital research and solutions center. Additionally, the company agreed to license the AISight digital pathology image management system to support its pathology laboratories and customer sites across the United States. This strategic move aimed to enhance the quality, speed, and efficiency of diagnosing cancer and other diseases through advanced technology.

Key Market Players

• Quest Diagnostics Inc
• Danaher Corporation
• PHC Holdings Corporation
• Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• Agilent Technologies Inc.
• Cardinal Health Inc.
• Sakura Finetek USA Inc.
• NeoGenomics Laboratories Inc.

By Type	By Technique	By Application	By End-User	By Region
Histopathology Cytopathology Surgical Pathology Others	Special Staining Immunohistochemistry Electron Microscopy Genetic Testing Others	Disease Diagnosis Drug Discovery and Development	Hospitals Research Laboratories Diagnostic Laboratories Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Anatomic Pathology Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Anatomic Pathology Market, By Type:

• Histopathology
• Cytopathology
• Surgical Pathology
• Others

• Anatomic Pathology Market, By Technique:

• Special Staining
• Immunohistochemistry
• Electron Microscopy
• Genetic Testing
• Others

• Anatomic Pathology Market, By Application:

• Disease Diagnosis
• Drug Discovery and Development

• Anatomic Pathology Market, By End-User:

• Hospitals
• Research Laboratories
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Others

• Anatomic Pathology Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE