The global histology & cytology market size was valued at USD 14.1 billion in 2020 and is projected to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period, 2021 – 2028. The growth of the market is attributed to the extensive use of digital pathology, increasing the use of liquid-based cytology, and advances in the form of virtual microscopy.
At the microscopic level, histology & cytology aims to explain the anatomy of tissues (histology) and cells (cytology) for various medical applications. Histology can be described as the scientific approach of the macro-cellular arrays of cells that make up all living animal and plant tissues, while cytology is the study of individual cells. In certain cases, the two words are used interchangeable. Immunohistochemistry deals with the analysis of visualizing cellular components to diagnose a broad variety of diseases including chronic diseases such as cancers and other infectious diseases.

As the COVID-19 pandemic affected thousands of millions people worldwide, several companies are consistently working towards to create automatic immunohistochemistry assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2 viral infection in various tissues with GeneTex. These players are also focusing on programs, unlike RT-PCR, which can amplify viral RNA fragments in the sample specimen, while IHC aids in the recognition of virus replication by detecting viral proteins in contaminated tissues.
Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
- Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and rising cases for chronic illness across the globe are expected to boost the market during the forecast period.
- Establishment of new diagnostic laboratories that are able to optimize their sample throughput processing with an optimal turn-around period is anticipated to push the market growth.
- Technological advancement and wide adoption of innovative techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing of the tissue or cells diagnostic device are key drivers for the market.
- The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is helping to drive the expansion of the histology and cytology markets.
- Lack of awareness of the benefits related to histology & cytology among patients and lack of advanced medical facilities especially in developing regions pose key challenges that can hamper the market expansion.
Scope of the Report
The report on the global histology & cytology market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes | Details |
Report Title | Histology & Cytology Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year | 2020 |
Historic Data | 2018–2019 |
Forecast Period | 2021–2028 |
Segmentation | Types of Examination (Histology [by Technique {Microscopy, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular pathology, and Cryostat & Microtomy}] and Cytology [by Technique {Microscopy, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular Pathology, and Cryostat & Microtomy} and by Applications {Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Others}]), Products (Instruments & Analysis Software System and Consumable & Reagents), and Applications (Drug Discovery & Designing, Clinical Diagnostics, and Research) |
Regional Scope | Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage | Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report | Hologic, Inc., Abbott, Becton, Dickinson and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Merck KGaA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Danaher, Sysmex Corporation, Trivitron Healthcare, and Koninklijke Philips N.V. |
Market Segment Insights
Cytology segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace
Based on types of examination, the global histology & cytology market is bifurcated into histology and cytology. The histology segment is further divided into by technique that includes microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology, and cryostat & microtomy. The cytology segment is further classified as technique and applications. The technique segment includes microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology, and cryostat & microtomy; while the applications segment consists of breast cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and others. The cytology segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period due to the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the development of advanced cytology systems. For example, in November 2020, Hologic, Inc. released the CE-marked genius digital diagnostics system, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to provide pathologists and cytotechnologists with digital imaging solutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to build advanced cytology systems, resulting in segment expansion.
Consumables & reagents segment is expected to exhibit a robust CAGR
Based on products, the global histology & cytology market is bifurcated into instruments & analysis software system and consumable & reagents. The consumable & reagents segment accounted for a key share of the market in 2020 and is projected to maintain its domination in the coming years. Tissue sample tubes, kits, dye reagents, fixative solutions, medium reagents, and other reagents are all used in the histology and cytology operation, which are projected to push the segment growth. The widespread acceptance of histology and cytology consumables is largely responsible for the segment growth. Companies are now producing low-cost kits and reagents, which are expected to fuel the demand for histology and cytology. For example, Biocare Medical LLC launched the TIGIT [BLR047F] antibody, a new rabbit monoclonal antibody, in August 2020 in collaboration with Bethyl Laboratories for qualitative identification of the TIGIT protein using Immunohistochemistry (IHC). For pharmaceutical and biotech research centers, the antibody would be a cost-effective immunohistochemistry approach.
Drug discovery & designing segment is expected to constitute a large share
Based on the applications, the global histology & cytology market is divided into drug discovery & designing, clinical diagnostics, and research. The drug discovery & designing segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period. The segment dominated the market, accounting for more than 40.9% of the total sales in 2019 owing to the widespread use of histomorphometry and IHC staining in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for drug production. The drug research and development includes a wide range of activities such as drug effectiveness and safety trials, aim confirmation, drug repositioning, patient stratification, and biomarker expression studies, and use image processing.
Due to the growing use of histopathology studies for the diagnosis of various forms of cancer, the clinical diagnostics segment, however, is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 12.3% during the forecast period. The cells and tissues from suspected lump areas are separated in order to detect anomalies and malignancy.

North America to account for a key share
In terms of regions, the market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to represent a major market share during the forecast period owing to the high incidence of cancer and comprehensive R&D operations. The presence of key global players and existing research infrastructure for pathology services are all contributing to the region market development. Furthermore, the region’s high rate of product clearance and commercialization are key factors boosting the market in the region. Meanwhile, the market in Asia Pacific is projected to exhibit a robust CAGR during the forecast period. The regional market expansion can be attributed to a number of reasons, including increased cancer awareness, a huge target demographic, and improved healthcare facilities. Furthermore, researchers are increasingly evaluating new cytology, which is accelerating the market expansion in the region.

Segments
Segments Covered in the Report
The global histology & cytology market has been segmented on the basis of
Types of Examination
- Histology
- By Technique
- Microscopy
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular pathology
- Cryostat & Microtomy
- Cytology
- By Technique
- Microscopy
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular pathology
- Cryostat & Microtomy
- By Applications
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Others
Products
- Instruments & Analysis Software System
- Consumable & Reagents
Applications
- Drug Discovery & Designing
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Research
Regions
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
Key Players
- Hologic, Inc.
- Abbott
- Becton, Dickinson and Company
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
- Merck KGaA
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
- Danaher
- Sysmex Corporation
- Trivitron Healthcare
- Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Competitive Landscape
Some of the key players competing in the market are Hologic, Inc.; Abbott; Becton, Dickinson and Company; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; Merck KGaA; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.; Danaher; Sysmex Corporatio; Trivitron Healthcare; and Koninklijke Philips N.V.
These key players are actively adopting several market strategies including product launches and production capacity expansion to enhance their market position. For example, Roche obtained US FDA approval in September 2020 for the extended use of CINtec PLUS Cytology for cervical cancer screening. The extended indication would allow laboratories to have precise and dependable findings for HPV infections.
