The U.S. nuclear medicine market size was valued at USD 5.85 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass around USD 19.34 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 12.7% over the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.
The U.S. nuclear medicine market is undergoing a robust transformation, fueled by advancements in molecular imaging, increasing demand for targeted radiotherapies, and the rising burden of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. Nuclear medicine, which utilizes small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat disease, is a cornerstone of personalized medicine in the United States.
This field comprises two primary components: diagnostic imaging such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and therapeutic nuclear medicine, including targeted alpha therapy, beta-emitting isotopes, and brachytherapy. With a growing emphasis on precision diagnostics and minimally invasive therapies, the nuclear medicine ecosystem is witnessing a surge in R&D activities, FDA approvals, and strategic collaborations.
The U.S. holds a dominant global position due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong academic research environment, and early adoption of next-generation isotopes and delivery platforms. Furthermore, initiatives by the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand domestic radioisotope production, reduce reliance on foreign supply, and promote theranostics (therapeutics + diagnostics) are shaping the future of nuclear medicine.
In recent years, nuclear medicine has gained prominence in oncology for early tumor detection, staging, and treatment response monitoring. Agents such as 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) and lutetium-177-based therapies are changing clinical paradigms. As the market evolves, radiopharmaceuticals are being paired with artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid imaging modalities, and digital health platforms heralding a new era in precision medicine.
Theranostics Expansion: Dual-purpose agents combining diagnostics and therapeutics are gaining clinical traction, especially in prostate and neuroendocrine tumors.
Domestic Radioisotope Production Initiatives: The U.S. government is investing in local Tc-99m and Lu-177 production to secure supply chains.
Alpha Emitters Gaining Momentum: New clinical trials using RA-223 and other alpha-emitting isotopes are expanding therapeutic frontiers.
Growth in Outpatient Nuclear Imaging Centers: Decentralized diagnostic services are driving access to advanced imaging tools across urban and suburban areas.
AI and Image Processing Integration: AI-driven image analysis is improving detection accuracy and interpretation speed in nuclear imaging.
Increasing Use of PET Imaging in Cardiology and Neurology: F-18 and RB-82 are increasingly used for myocardial perfusion and brain metabolism mapping.
Personalized Cancer Radiotherapy: Tailored treatment protocols using molecular markers and radioisotopes are becoming standard practice.
Brachytherapy Renaissance: Brachytherapy sees renewed interest due to precise tumor targeting with reduced systemic side effects.
Mini Cyclotron and Generator Innovations: Portable and on-site production technologies are addressing isotope half-life limitations.
Clinical Trials Boom: A wave of clinical research is validating nuclear agents for liver, pancreatic, endocrine, and breast cancers.
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 6.59 Billion |
| Market Size by 2033 | USD 19.34 Billion |
| Growth Rate From 2024 to 2033 | CAGR of 12.7% |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 to 2033 |
| Segments Covered | Product, application, end-use, country |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Key Companies Profiled | Eckert & Ziegler; Curium; GE Healthcare; Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd.; Bracco Imaging S.P.A ; Nordion (Canada), Inc.; The Institute For Radioelements (IRE); NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd.; Eczacıbaşı-Monrol; Lantheus Medical Imaging; Inc.; The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization; Novartis (Advanced Accelerator Applications); Siemens Healthineers AG. |
A major growth driver for the U.S. nuclear medicine market is the rising incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, both of which are leading causes of mortality in the country. According to the American Cancer Society, over 1.9 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024, and heart disease remains the number one cause of death.
Nuclear imaging, particularly PET and SPECT, enables early detection, functional evaluation, and monitoring of these diseases. In oncology, radiopharmaceuticals such as 18F-FDG help detect metabolic activity in tumors well before anatomical changes are visible on CT or MRI. This facilitates early diagnosis, accurate staging, and real-time monitoring of therapy responses.
In cardiology, Tc-99m and RB-82-based myocardial perfusion imaging is widely used to evaluate coronary artery disease. The availability of high-sensitivity imaging tools improves clinical decision-making and patient outcomes, particularly in high-risk populations. With aging demographics and increasing comorbidity rates, the demand for nuclear medicine-based diagnostics and therapeutics continues to surge.
One of the persistent restraints in the U.S. nuclear medicine market is the short half-life of many radioisotopes and the logistical complexities associated with their production and transport. Isotopes like Tc-99m, F-18, and RB-82 have half-lives ranging from minutes to hours, requiring highly coordinated manufacturing and distribution systems.
Most radiopharmaceuticals must be produced in cyclotrons or nuclear reactors and delivered to imaging centers within a narrow time window. Any delays or disruptions due to equipment failure, regulatory issues, or transportation bottlenecks—can result in canceled diagnostic procedures, delayed treatments, and significant cost burdens for healthcare providers.
Additionally, until recently, the U.S. heavily relied on imported molybdenum-99 (the precursor of Tc-99m), raising concerns about supply chain security. While domestic production efforts are ramping up, the infrastructure gap remains a limiting factor for widespread market scalability, especially in rural and underserved regions.
A game-changing opportunity in the market lies in the expansion of theranostic approaches using the same or similar agents for both imaging and therapy in prostate and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). FDA approvals of Lutathera (Lu-177-DOTATATE) for NETs and Pluvicto (Lu-177-PSMA-617) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have validated this approach.
In theranostics, a diagnostic scan is first performed using a PET agent such as 68Ga-DOTATATE or 68Ga-PSMA to identify eligible patients. If the target is confirmed, the patient is treated with a similar therapeutic isotope conjugate, such as Lu-177-DOTATATE or Lu-177-PSMA. This ensures personalized and highly targeted treatment with minimal systemic toxicity.
The success of this model is prompting investment in new theranostic agents, clinical trials, and infrastructure upgrades in nuclear medicine departments. As research expands into other tumor types like breast, liver, and brain cancers, the theranostics wave is expected to reshape the therapeutic landscape in the U.S.
Diagnostic products dominate the U.S. nuclear medicine market, particularly SPECT and PET agents. Tc-99m remains the most widely used radioisotope in SPECT imaging due to its ideal half-life and gamma-ray emission properties. It is used extensively in bone scans, myocardial perfusion imaging, and thyroid scans. PET products like F-18 FDG and RB-82 are experiencing high adoption in oncology and cardiology, respectively. The F-18 isotope has become a gold standard for metabolic imaging in cancer care.
Therapeutic products are the fastest-growing segment, with Lu-177, I-131, and RA-223 at the forefront of clinical use. Beta emitters dominate therapeutic applications for thyroid cancer, bone metastasis, and neuroendocrine tumors. Alpha emitters like RA-223 are gaining interest due to their potent cytotoxicity over short distances, making them ideal for bone metastasis. Brachytherapy products such as Cesium-131 and Iodine-125 are also experiencing renewed application in prostate and brain cancers, especially with image-guided systems.
Hospitals and clinics are the dominant end-users, benefiting from in-house radiopharmacies, SPECT/PET scanners, and specialist teams. These facilities perform a high volume of nuclear imaging and therapeutic procedures, particularly for cancer, cardiac, and thyroid patients. Academic medical centers often serve as hubs for nuclear medicine research and clinical trials.
Diagnostic centers are the fastest-growing end-user category, owing to the decentralization of imaging services. Independent and outpatient imaging facilities are investing in compact SPECT/CT and PET/CT systems, driven by increasing referrals, cost-efficiency, and rapid turnaround. These centers are improving access to nuclear medicine in non-urban settings and contributing to broader adoption.
Oncology remains the largest application area, accounting for the majority of both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. PET/CT scans using F-18 FDG are widely employed for staging cancers, assessing treatment efficacy, and detecting metastasis. The rise of PSMA and DOTATATE-targeted agents has further solidified nuclear medicine’s role in cancer care. Moreover, Lu-177-based radiotherapeutics have demonstrated excellent outcomes in patients with metastatic tumors.
Cardiology is another major and growing application, particularly due to the prevalence of coronary artery disease. Tc-99m SPECT is widely used for stress testing, while RB-82 PET imaging is gaining preference for myocardial perfusion studies due to higher image resolution. The ability of nuclear imaging to evaluate myocardial viability and perfusion in real-time makes it critical in cardiac patient management and revascularization decisions.
The United States holds a leadership position in the global nuclear medicine market, backed by a strong regulatory framework, robust R&D pipeline, and established nuclear infrastructure. The FDA has approved multiple radiopharmaceuticals and maintains active engagement with developers through the Drug Development Tool (DDT) program and expedited approval pathways.
In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy has prioritized domestic production of Mo-99 and Lu-177 isotopes, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. National labs and private firms are collaborating to develop cyclotron and reactor-independent technologies. Moreover, the American College of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) are playing vital roles in standardizing protocols and training.
Academic institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, are pioneering clinical applications and trials of novel nuclear agents. In parallel, the rise of commercial imaging chains and contract radiopharmacies is boosting access and scalability. The U.S. market is poised for long-term growth as new therapeutic isotopes and delivery systems enter the clinic.
March 2025: Novartis received FDA approval for Pluvicto (Lu-177-PSMA-617) for PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer following successful Phase 3 trial results.
February 2025: Bracco Imaging launched a new F-18 labeled brain imaging agent targeting beta-amyloid plaques, with clinical use in early Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
January 2025: Curium Pharma expanded its U.S. radiopharmacy network to increase regional production and delivery capacity for Tc-99m and Lu-177-based products.
December 2024: Actinium Pharmaceuticals initiated a Phase 1 trial for an alpha-emitting radiotherapeutic in relapsed lymphoma, marking the company's expansion into solid tumors.
November 2024: Telix Pharmaceuticals partnered with a major U.S. hospital network to deploy 68Ga-PSMA PET imaging agents for prostate cancer diagnostics across 30 centers.
This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the U.S. Nuclear Medicine market.
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