China Radiotherapy Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• The Chinese radiotherapy market operates within a rapidly evolving healthcare system, with the government implementing large-scale infrastructure investment programmes to address significant equipment shortages. The National Health Commission's "14th Five-Year Plan" for large medical equipment configuration has allocated 11 heavy-ion proton radiotherapy systems and 30 high-end radiotherapy devices through the 2025 licensing round .
• External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) constitutes the largest therapy segment, supported by an installed base of approximately 3,000 medical linear accelerators as of 2025. However, this represents only 60% of the estimated 5,000 units required to meet clinical demand, indicating substantial market headroom .
• Radiotherapy systems and equipment represent the largest offering segment, with the market characterised by significant government procurement activity. As of February 2026, 99 linear accelerator projects had been approved, with 41 entering the procurement stage and 36 issuing tender announcements, signalling a rapid transition from planning to order placement .
• Hospitals and integrated cancer centres are the largest end-user segment. However, geographic distribution is highly uneven, with Beijing (3.61 accelerators per million population) and Shanghai (3.02) exceeding the national average of 2.0, while provinces such as Yunnan, Ningxia, and Tibet have fewer than 1.0 units per million population .
• Regulatory oversight is provided by the National Health Commission under the Large Medical Equipment Configuration Permit Management Catalogue (2023), which reclassified radiotherapy equipment into streamlined categories and adjusted pricing thresholds to facilitate broader access. The National Medical Products Administration has issued specific guidance for radiopharmaceutical risk management, supporting the growth of systemic radiotherapy .

Market Outlook

• According to the research report, "China Radiotherapy Market Overview, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the China Radiotherapy market is anticipated to grow at more than 8.40% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. This growth trajectory reflects sustained government investment in cancer care infrastructure, rapid technology modernisation, and significant demand-supply gaps across the radiotherapy equipment base.
• The market is expected to benefit from substantial government procurement activity. The National Health Commission's 2025 licensing round for Class A large medical equipment has allocated 11 heavy-ion proton radiotherapy systems including three dedicated to private healthcare providers and 30 high-end radiotherapy devices across multiple provinces including Beijing, Tianjin, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Shaanxi . The pipeline of approved and tendered linear accelerator projects indicates that demand is transitioning into actual orders .
• Technology modernisation is accelerating through domestic manufacturing advancement. The Chinese radiotherapy equipment market has historically been dominated by imports 84.76% of installed linear accelerators are from foreign brands including Elekta, Varian, and Accuray . However, domestic manufacturers are making significant inroads: the 360-degree rotating proton therapy system, independently developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Advanced Research Institute in partnership with Shanghai Apeiqiang Particle Equipment, received NMPA registration in May 2026 and has already treated over 1,300 patients across more than 50 tumour types .
• Domestic manufacturing capability is expanding across the radiotherapy spectrum. China National Nuclear Corporation's Chengying Gamma Knife, which received NMPA registration in July 2024, achieves 95% domestic material localisation . The establishment of the High-end Medical Equipment Innovation Cooperation Platform's Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group in 2024 aims to accelerate domestic substitution across all radiotherapy modalities, including particle therapy, BNCT, and treatment planning systems .
• Long-term growth is supported by sustained cancer burden and demographic trends. The gap between the current installed base of approximately 3,000 linear accelerators and the estimated required capacity of 5,000 units a 40% deficit provides substantial headroom for equipment procurement and service demand .

Market Dynamics

Driver: Sustained Government Investment and Infrastructure Expansion
The primary driver of the Chinese radiotherapy market is sustained government investment through national health plans and large equipment configuration programmes. The National Health Commission's "14th Five-Year Plan" provides the strategic framework for radiotherapy infrastructure expansion, with the 2025 licensing round for Class A equipment allocating 11 heavy-ion proton systems and 30 high-end radiotherapy devices . The Large Medical Equipment Configuration Permit Management Catalogue (2023) streamlined the regulatory framework, merging previously separate categories and adjusting pricing thresholds to facilitate broader access . The substantial project pipeline 99 linear accelerator projects approved, 41 at procurement stage, and 36 with tender announcements as of February 2026 demonstrates the rapid translation of planning into procurement activity . This sustained investment cycle ensures consistent demand for equipment, installation services, training, and comprehensive maintenance contracts.

Challenge: Geographic Disparities and Equipment Deficits
A significant challenge facing the Chinese radiotherapy market is the profound regional disparity in equipment availability and access to care. While the national average of 2.0 linear accelerators per million population meets the WHO threshold of 2–4 units, this masks substantial variation: Beijing (3.61) and Shanghai (3.02) exceed the national average, while provinces including Yunnan, Ningxia, and Tibet have fewer than 1.0 units per million . The overall equipment deficit is substantial while the installed base is approximately 3,000 units, estimated requirements are 5,000 units, a 40% gap . The Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering has noted that while 84.76% of installed linear accelerators are imported brands, domestic manufacturers are increasing their presence, though transitioning from "usable" to "good" and "preferred" equipment remains a key challenge .



Trend: Domestic Manufacturing Advancement and Technology Localisation
A major trend reshaping the Chinese radiotherapy market is the rapid advancement of domestic manufacturing and technology localisation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences' 360-degree rotating proton therapy system, registered by the NMPA in May 2026, represents a significant achievement the first domestically produced system to achieve international-standard functionality including cone-beam CT for three-dimensional image-guided positioning . The Chengying Gamma Knife, developed by China National Nuclear Corporation, achieves 95% domestic material localisation . The High-end Medical Equipment Innovation Cooperation Platform's Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group, established in 2024, is coordinating efforts across policy, organisation, and technology to accelerate domestic substitution, including efforts to position Chinese particle therapy standards as global benchmarks . This trend toward domestic manufacturing reduces dependency on international suppliers and creates new market opportunities for domestic equipment and service providers.

Policies

• The National Health Commission's Large Medical Equipment Configuration Permit Management Catalogue (2023) streamlined the regulatory framework, reducing management categories from 10 to 6. Key changes include merging heavy-ion and proton systems into a single category, consolidating conventional and high-end radiotherapy devices, and adjusting pricing thresholds to facilitate broader access .
• The 2025 Class A Large Medical Equipment Configuration Licensing round allocated 11 heavy-ion proton radiotherapy systems and 30 high-end radiotherapy devices. Of the proton systems, three are specifically reserved for private healthcare providers, with provincial allocations including Tianjin, Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangdong, and others .
• The National Medical Products Administration's Centre for Drug Evaluation issued the "Technical Guidelines for Clinical Risk Management Plans for Radioactive Therapeutic Drugs at Marketing Application" (2025, No. 5), effective January 2025, establishing risk management requirements for radiopharmaceuticals to support the growing systemic radiotherapy segment .
• The High-end Medical Equipment Innovation Cooperation Platform, established in 2024 under the NMPA's Centre for Medical Device Evaluation, includes a Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group coordinating policy research, technical standards, and industry collaboration. The Working Group has submitted an application to establish a "China Particle Therapy Society" to accelerate domestic substitution .
• The National Health Commission's "14th Five-Year Plan" for large medical equipment configuration provides the strategic framework for infrastructure expansion, with detailed provincial allocations for radiotherapy devices .
• Government procurement regulations require that imported equipment procurement using fiscal funds must undergo strict justification and approval, creating a supportive environment for domestic manufacturing advancement .

Segment Analysis

China Radiotherapy Market By Therapy Type
• External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT): This is the largest therapy segment, with linear accelerators comprising approximately 3,000 installed units as of 2025 . The installed base includes conventional LINACs from international manufacturers (Elekta, Varian, Accuray) accounting for 84.76% of the market, alongside emerging domestic suppliers including United Imaging, Neusoft, and Shandong . The segment is driven by the clinical dominance of IMRT, IGRT, and SBRT techniques. The significant equipment deficit estimated requirements of 5,000 units versus 3,000 installed creates sustained demand for new systems .
• Internal / Brachytherapy: This segment is clinically established, particularly for gynaecological and prostate cancers. Domestic manufacturing is advancing, with the Chengying Gamma Knife representing a significant domestic achievement. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully developed a 360-degree rotating proton system .
• Systemic Radiotherapy: This is the fastest-growing therapy segment, driven by the emergence of novel radiopharmaceuticals and targeted radionuclide therapies. The NMPA's 2025 guidance on radiopharmaceutical risk management reflects the growing regulatory focus on this segment . The CDE has noted that radiopharmaceuticals for advanced tumours represent a "current domestic drug development hotspot" with multiple new target and new nuclide drugs in clinical development .

China Radiotherapy Market By Offering
• Radiotherapy Systems/Equipment: This segment holds the largest market share by revenue, driven by high capital costs and sustained government investment. Major international suppliers include Elekta, Varian, and Accuray . Domestic manufacturers are increasing their presence, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences' proton system, Chengying Gamma Knife, and emerging LINAC suppliers . Procurement activity is accelerating: 99 LA projects approved, 41 in procurement, and 36 tendered as of early 2026 .
• Software & Services: This is the fastest-growing segment, reflecting increasing digitalisation and the shift toward domestic software development. The Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group is coordinating development of integrated treatment planning systems covering photon, proton, heavy-ion, and BNCT modalities, with emphasis on domestic software to reduce import dependency . The services component encompasses installation, comprehensive maintenance, clinical training, and technical support.

China Radiotherapy Market By Application
• Breast Cancer: This is a major application segment, with breast cancer ranking among the most frequent malignancies in China. Radiotherapy plays a central role in breast-conserving therapy and post-mastectomy treatment.
• Prostate Cancer: A significant application area, with widespread use of EBRT and brachytherapy. Proton therapy, including domestic systems, is increasingly deployed for prostate cancer .
• Lung Cancer: This segment is growing, with increased adoption of SBRT for early-stage and oligometastatic disease. The domestic proton system has treated lung cancer patients .
• Head & Neck Cancer: This is a critical application due to anatomical complexity, requiring highly conformal radiation delivery. Proton therapy offers particular advantages for head and neck cancers .
• Central Nervous System / Brain: This is a significant application, with stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases and primary CNS tumours. The Chengying Gamma Knife and proton systems are deployed for CNS tumours .
• Gastro-intestinal: Applications include oesophageal, rectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. The domestic proton system has treated over 50 tumour types, including gastrointestinal malignancies .
• Other Applications: Includes paediatric cancers a specific priority for proton therapy as well as gynaecological, haematological, and palliative care indications.

China Radiotherapy Market By End User
• Hospitals & Integrated Cancer Centres: This is the largest end-user segment, operating within the public healthcare system. Major centres hosting advanced equipment include the Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, which received the first domestically produced proton therapy system with 360-degree rotating capability . These institutions manage complex equipment fleets and are the primary beneficiaries of national and provincial investment programmes. The 2025 licensing round allocated equipment to hospitals across multiple provinces including Beijing, Tianjin, Guangdong, and Zhejiang .
• Standalone Radiotherapy Centres: This segment is growing, with the 2025 Class A licensing round allocating three heavy-ion proton systems specifically for private healthcare providers . This reflects government policy to reserve space for social medical institutions in large equipment planning.
• Academic/Research Institutions: This is the fastest-growing segment, reflecting their role in advancing the field through clinical trials and technology validation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, in partnership with Shanghai Apeiqiang and Ruijin Hospital, developed the domestic proton system . The Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group includes academic institutions and research hospitals .
• Other Healthcare Facilities: Includes regional oncology centres and community hospitals. Access remains limited in less developed provinces, with Yunnan, Ningxia, and Tibet having fewer than 1.0 accelerators per million population .

China Radiotherapy Market Economics

• Equipment procurement in China is predominantly conducted through government tenders and public health system procurement, with the National Health Commission coordinating Class A equipment allocation through licensing rounds .
• The significant equipment deficit 40% gap between current and required capacity positions China as one of the largest radiotherapy equipment markets globally . The project pipeline of 99 approved LA projects, with 36 at tender stage, indicates substantial near-term capital expenditure .
• Domestic manufacturing is reducing equipment and maintenance costs. The Chengying Gamma Knife achieves 95% domestic material localisation . The domestic proton system represents the first fully domestically produced system achieving international-standard functionality .
• The economic impact of government investment programmes is substantial. The "14th Five-Year Plan" allocations, including 11 heavy-ion proton systems and 30 high-end devices, represent significant capital investment across provinces .
• Equipment downtime directly affects patient access and treatment outcomes. Geographic disparities exacerbate this issue, with regions having fewer than 1.0 units per million population experiencing severe access constraints .
• The cost of cybersecurity and software modernisation is an emerging economic factor, with the Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group emphasising domestic software development to reduce import dependency .

Market Outlook by Infrastructure, Investment and Industry Development

• The National Health Commission's 2025 Class A licensing round allocated 11 heavy-ion proton systems and 30 high-end radiotherapy devices across multiple provinces, including Beijing (2), Tianjin (2), Guangdong (2), Zhejiang (4), and Shaanxi (3) . Three proton systems are reserved exclusively for private healthcare providers .
• The project pipeline demonstrates rapid procurement acceleration: as of February 2026, 99 linear accelerator projects had been approved, 41 had entered the procurement stage, and 36 had issued tender announcements .
• Domestic manufacturing is achieving major milestones. The Chinese Academy of Sciences' 360-degree rotating proton therapy system received NMPA registration in May 2026 and has treated over 1,300 patients across more than 50 tumour types . The Chengying Gamma Knife, achieving 95% domestic localisation, received NMPA registration in July 2024 .
• The High-end Medical Equipment Innovation Cooperation Platform's Radiotherapy Equipment Working Group, established in 2024, is coordinating policy research, technical standards, and industry collaboration. The Working Group is pursuing establishment of a "China Particle Therapy Society" and aims to position Chinese particle therapy standards as global benchmarks .
• Domestic manufacturers are increasing market presence. United Imaging, Neusoft, and Shandong are among domestic suppliers entering the LINAC market, challenging the 84.76% import share . The transition from "usable" to "good" equipment is the current industry priority .
• Digital transformation is enabling advanced treatment planning and precision radiotherapy. The Working Group is coordinating development of integrated TPS platforms covering multiple treatment modalities, with emphasis on domestic software to respond to "Xinchuang" policy requirements .
• The long-term outlook remains positive as cancer incidence continues to rise, sustained government investment through the "14th Five-Year Plan" drives equipment modernisation, and domestic manufacturing reduces dependency on international suppliers. The 40% equipment deficit creates substantial headroom for growth through 2031.



Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Radiotherapy Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Therapy Type
• External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
• Internal / Brachytherapy
• Systemic Radiotherapy

By Offering
• Radiotherapy Systems/Equipment
• Software & Services

By Application
• Breast Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Head & Neck Cancer
• Central Nervous System / Brain
• Gastro-intestinal
• Other Applications

By End User

• Hospitals & Integrated Cancer Centers
• Standalone Radiotherapy Centers
• Academic/Research Institutions
• Other Healthcare Facilities