South America Radiotherapy Market Outlook, 2031

Market Drivers

• Rising cancer incidence across the region: The primary driver of the South American radiotherapy market is the substantial and growing cancer burden across the region. Brazil's National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates that the 2026–2028 triennium will record approximately 781,000 new cancer cases per year, representing an 11% growth compared to the previous triennium (2023–2025), when the estimate was approximately 704,000 new annual cases. The Sociedade Brasileira de Radioterapia (SBRT), based on DATASUS data, indicates that between 2023 and 2025, approximately 470,000 radiotherapy procedures were performed by the SUS. In Chile, approximately 63,274 new cancer cases were diagnosed during 2025. In Colombia, 782,868 cancer patients received care in the health system as of October 2025. This growing cancer burden drives sustained demand for radiotherapy equipment and services.
• Sustained government investment in healthcare infrastructure: Governments across South America are making substantial investments in modernising radiotherapy infrastructure. Brazil's Ministry of Health has announced additional annual funding to expand patient access to radiotherapy, increasing the annual federal budget for this cancer treatment. The government has delivered linear accelerators in 2025, with all states now having radiotherapy centres, and plans to acquire additional equipment by 2026. Argentina's government has announced a significant investment for the Hospital Garrahan, including the acquisition of a paediatric linear accelerator, the first of its kind in paediatric hospitals in Latin America. Colombia's Ministry of Health has issued regulations strengthening radiological safety standards and updating licensing requirements for ionising radiation equipment.
• Rising awareness and improving access to cancer care: Increasing awareness of cancer and the benefits of radiotherapy is driving demand across the region. PAHO has urged governments to prioritise access to essential cancer medicines, supplies, and equipment. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health reports that new cancer diagnoses are identified annually, and radiotherapy is indicated in a significant proportion of cases. The government has introduced transport and accommodation assistance for travelling patients to improve access.
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Market Challenges

• Significant infrastructure deficits and equipment shortages: A major challenge facing the South American radiotherapy market is the substantial infrastructure deficit in many countries. The SBRT's RT 2030 report demonstrated that Brazil faced a structural deficit of installed capacity, with radiotherapy equipment units in operation against a minimum estimated need, representing a significant gap. Current SUS radiotherapy services operate with reimbursement at approximately half of the actual cost of treatments, limiting the capacity for maintenance, modernisation, and expansion. Colombia has LINACs, but these machines are unevenly distributed: multiple states do not have any LINACs, and the country's ratio of cancer patients per LINAC surpasses the IAEA's advised ratio, requiring additional equipment to align with international standards.
• Workforce shortages and training gaps: Staffing shortages remain a key concern across South America, with many centres facing difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and radiation therapists. In Colombia, a study estimated that to meet the current cancer burden, the country would need significant additional radiation therapy oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapy technologists. To meet the disease burden by 2035, Colombia would require even more professionals. The shortage of specialised personnel limits the capacity to operate newly acquired equipment and can lead to delays in treatment.
• Regional disparities in equipment distribution: Equipment is heavily concentrated in major urban centres across South America. In Brazil, the installed base is heavily concentrated in the Southeast, where a significant proportion of all teletherapy machines are located. An estimated proportion of the existing LINAC base was installed before 2015 and is due for retirement. In Colombia, states with LINACs have varying numbers, while many states have none. Chile has operative LINACs which is less than the number required to meet demand, with a proportion having remained operational for over a decade and requiring upgrading or replacement.
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Market Trends

• Expansion of radiotherapy infrastructure through government programmes: A major trend shaping the South American radiotherapy market is the significant expansion of radiotherapy infrastructure through government investment programmes. Brazil's federal government has delivered linear accelerators in 2025, with all states now having radiotherapy centres. The Ministry of Health plans to acquire additional equipment, which will reduce time and distances for patients needing treatment. The government has also introduced measures to expand radiotherapy services, including assistance for patient transport, food, and accommodation, centralised procurement of medicines, and financial incentives for health services to increase patient capacity.
• Regulatory modernisation and quality assurance: Countries across the region are modernising regulatory frameworks for radiotherapy. Colombia's Ministry of Health has redefined the regulatory framework for the use of ionising radiation-generating equipment, establishing new technical and human talent requirements for licensing, more rigorous quality control protocols, and updated radiation protection guidelines. The resolution aligns Colombia with the most recent IAEA guidelines and strengthens safety in medical practices. Licences are mandatory for radiotherapy equipment use, with renewal requiring technical verification visits and quality control protocols.
• Adoption of advanced radiotherapy technologies: The adoption of advanced radiotherapy technologies is accelerating across the region. Ecuador has incorporated the first Versa HD linear accelerator in the country, enabling more precise and faster treatments with greater patient capacity. Brazil's public and private sectors are investing in modern LINACs. The transition from older equipment to modern systems is creating demand for installation services, training, and comprehensive maintenance contracts.