Canada is set to observe Brain Cancer Awareness Day on 24 October and the globally recognized Brain Tumour Awareness Week from 28 October to 4 November. These important events highlight the challenges in brain tumour and cancer treatment and the need for increased research efforts. Access to latest therapies remains a challenge for many patients, and addressing healthcare disparities will be a crucial aspect of improving outcomes, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s research reveals that over 7,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023, of which 2,660 will be cancerous.
Ashley Clarke, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Brain tumours often go undetected until symptoms manifest, making early intervention essential. Tumours put pressure on the areas of the brain that are used for thought, emotion, and movement, so symptoms can range from headaches and seizures to changes in personality, memory, and coordination. Although more than two thirds of all brain tumours are benign, they can still be life-threatening or significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.”
GlobalData estimates that brain tumour incidence varies from 0.002% to 0.03% globally, amounting to 600,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. Depending on the size, shape, location, and grade of the tumour, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof can be used for treatment. However, there are over 100 different types of primary brain tumours, which makes selecting the optimal treatment method difficult.
Clarke continues: “The recent advancements are geared towards precision treatments that target tumour cells and minimize the disruption of nearby healthy tissues, thereby reducing potential complications. For example, minimally invasive neurosurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery are transforming patient outcomes by offering quicker recoveries and shorter hospital stays. These have potential to reduce the overall healthcare costs for care, but are not universally applicable to all tumour types, so further research is needed so that other conventional treatments may be improved.”
GlobalData estimates the global minimally invasive neurosurgical devices market and stereotactic radiosurgery markets will be worth $250 and $780 million, respectively, by 2033, with North America capturing 37% of the market. But the market growth may be limited by the need for specifically trained personnel and expensive instrumentation. Particularly, rural communities and developing countries may lack the infrastructure or resources needed to accommodate radiosurgery systems, further highlighting the need for improvements in treatment methods.
Clarke concludes: “The current research is focused on understanding the genetic and molecular makeup of brain tumours and could be used to help design more targeted therapies and personalized treatment plans. As research continues to advance, GlobalData expects more effective and less invasive treatment options to emerge, ultimately improving the quality of life for brain tumour patients.”
