Digital pathology has rapidly progressed from a specialised research tool to a core enabler of modern diagnostics. By converting glass slides into high-resolution whole-slide images (WSI), it supports remote reporting, collaborative review, efficient archiving and AI-based analysis. For high-volume diagnostic settings — particularly in India — this shift is helping address rising cancer workloads, limited specialist availability and the demand for faster, standardised reporting.
Growth Outlook and Global–Indian Momentum
Digital pathology continues to expand worldwide as healthcare systems adopt digital workflows and imaging technologies mature. The global space, valued at approximately USD 1.39 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.97 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2025 to 2033 driven by increasing biopsy volumes, cloud infrastructure adoption and integration with laboratory information systems.
India, though a smaller portion of the global landscape, is growing at a faster pace. The Indian digital pathology market at USD 43.7 million in 2024, expected to reach USD 113.5 million by 2033 (CAGR ~11%). With a rising cancer burden, expanding diagnostic chains and government-led digital health initiatives, adoption is accelerating across oncology hospitals, academic centres and multisite laboratories.
Key Drivers Behind Adoption
1. Rising Diagnostic Volumes
Ageing populations, improved cancer detection and higher biopsy throughput have significantly increased pressure on pathology services. Digital workflows reduce turnaround time, optimise case distribution and support remote reporting — especially important in regions with uneven pathologist distribution.
2. Digital Transformation of Workflows
With improvements in scanning speed, cloud-native storage and interoperable image management platforms, laboratories can now manage large slide libraries more efficiently. Diagnostic networks benefit from hub-and-spoke models where experts at central hubs report slides from peripheral centres without physical transfer.
3. AI and Computational Tools
AI is now embedded across multiple stages of pathology, assisting in tumour detection, IHC quantification, mitotic counts and case prioritisation. These tools reduce manual workload, enhance accuracy and introduce quantitative insights that traditional microscopy cannot offer.
4. Research, Drug Discovery and Precision Medicine
Digital pathology enables high-throughput slide analysis for pharmaceutical R&D and companion diagnostics. It also supports molecular–morphologic correlation, making it increasingly valuable in precision oncology.
Shifting Product Segments and Expanding Use Cases
Although scanners remain a major capital investment, the fastest expansion now lies in software, AI analytics, telepathology and cloud platforms. Laboratories are adopting digital pathology for:
Primary diagnosis and second opinions through remote reporting
Telepathology for multisite networks
Translational research and drug discovery using computational analysis
Education and training, supported by digital slide libraries
Quality assurance, with centralised review and standardised documentation
This shift from hardware-led adoption to an integrated digital ecosystem — combining imaging, storage, analytics and workflow automation — reflects the maturing nature of the field.
Evolving Competitive Landscape
Global leaders such as Leica Biosystems, Philips, Hamamatsu Photonics, Proscia, PathAI and Aiforia continue to shape the landscape with ecosystem-based platforms that integrate scanning, analysis and cloud workflows.
Alongside them, regional innovators — particularly in India — are offering cost-optimised scanners, telepathology services and AI-enabled platforms tailored to local resource and workflow needs. Subscription-based, cloud-first models are helping smaller labs adopt digital pathology more easily.
Persistent Challenges
Despite the momentum, certain barriers remain:
High upfront cost for scanners and storage
Large WSI file sizes requiring robust IT and bandwidth
Workflow transition and skill training for pathologists
Need for strong clinical validation of AI tools
Regulatory clarity for AI-assisted diagnostic use
Many organisations therefore adopt digital pathology in phases — beginning with education, tumour boards or oncology-focused workflows before expanding into full primary diagnosis.
Future Opportunities and Path Ahead
Over the next decade, digital pathology will increasingly become a backbone of modern diagnostics. Key opportunities include:
Scaling telepathology across multisite networks
Wider clinical use of computational pathology and biomarker analytics
Cloud-native deployments to reduce cost and infrastructure pressures
Stronger integration with molecular diagnostics and precision medicine pathways
Creation of institutional and national digital slide repositories
Expanding role in oncology trials and real-world evidence studies
As AI matures and digital infrastructure strengthens, digital pathology is set to deliver faster, more accurate and more data-rich diagnostics. Its convergence with computational tools and precision oncology promises to reshape how diseases are diagnosed and managed, positioning digital pathology as a central pillar in the future of global and Indian healthcare.
Also Read
