Above 65 years Segment Bolsters Colorectal Cancer Treatment Market Growth

According to our new research study on "Colorectal Cancer Treatment Market Forecast to 2031 - Global Analysis - by Treatment, Age Group, and End Users", the market was valued at US$19.93 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$24.74 billion by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 3.2% during 2025-2031. The colorectal cancer treatment market report emphasizes the trends prevalent in the global market and drivers and deterrents affecting its growth.

The growing number of colorectal cancer cases and increasing advancements in targeted and immunotherapies contribute to the ever-increasing colorectal cancer treatment market size. However, the high costs of colorectal cancer treatments hamper the growth of the market. Further, developing novel drug delivery methods will bring new cancer drug market trends in the coming years.

Increasing Advancements in Targeted and Immunotherapies Bolster Colorectal Cancer Treatment Market Growth

A central driver of progress in the colorectal cancer treatment market has been remarkable advancements in targeted immunotherapies, fundamentally reshaping outcomes for specific patient populations and expanding future therapeutic possibilities. Traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation remain mainstays. However, the deepening understanding of colorectal cancer biology has permitted precise therapies tailored to the molecular makeup of each tumor. In 2025, immunotherapy has taken a leading role, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. These have transformed management for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer harboring microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors. Landmark results from phase III clinical trials and real-world cohort studies confirm that agents such as PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab), as well as the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab, significantly improve progression-free and overall survival for MSI-H and dMMR metastatic patients, with benefits persisting over several years and an apparent reduction in disease progression versus chemotherapy. New findings reveal that, for MSI-H metastatic patients, the restricted median survival at 24 months is extended by 10.6 months longer with a nivolumab/ipilimumab combination compared to chemotherapy, and 3-year progression-free survival rates reach as high as 68%. As a response, regulators such as the US FDA now recommend these combinations as first-line treatments for this specific subgroup, and global treatment guidelines are quickly adapting to reflect these advancements.

Beyond MSI-H/dMMR tumors, which constitute ~5-7% of metastatic cases, investigators are intensively studying how immunotherapy might benefit the much larger population of microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC patients, who have historically shown poor response to single-agent checkpoint blockade. Recent extensive real-world studies observe that a subset of MSS tumors may harbor additional biological features or be affected by extrinsic factors (such as microbiome activity, enzyme profiles, and concurrent medications), allowing small groups to derive benefit from immunotherapy, a frontier that ongoing trials and translational research aim to expand. Additional strategies, including combination approaches with chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic agents, or novel immune modulators, are under active investigation in global consortia and at major cancer centers, feeding a pipeline of innovative drug candidates.

The advancements in targeted and immunotherapies, embracing immune checkpoint blockades, biomarker-driven drug combinations, novel immunomodulatory agents, and precision diagnostics, have set a new standard in colorectal cancer, reshaping survival curves and fostering optimism for current and future patients. Therefore, the increasing advancements in targeted and immunotherapies fuel the market growth.

The colorectal cancer treatment market analysis has been carried out by considering the following segments: treatment, age group, end users, and geography. Based on treatment, the colorectal cancer treatment market is categorized into surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and others. In 2024, the surgery segment held a significant colorectal cancer treatment market share.

The market is segmented by age group into below 49 years, 50 - 64 years, and above 65 years. The above 65 years segment held the largest share of the colorectal cancer treatment market in 2024 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during 2025-2031. As global populations age, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and above is rising significantly. According to the WHO, by 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be 60 or older, with the 80+ age group growing the fastest. Since age is the single most significant risk factor for colorectal cancer-with nearly 75% of cases diagnosed in individuals over 65-this demographic shift directly expands the patient pool requiring treatment. Advancements in healthcare have improved life expectancy, leading to a larger elderly population living long enough to develop age-related cancers. For example, in the US, the American Cancer Society reports that the median age at CRC diagnosis is 66, and the risk increases sharply after 50, peaking in the 70s and 80s. Additionally, targeted therapies and immunotherapies have expanded treatment options for elderly patients who may not tolerate aggressive chemotherapy.

Regarding end users, the colorectal cancer treatment market is segmented into hospitals, specialty clinics, home care, and others. The hospitals segment held the largest colorectal cancer treatment market share in 2024. However, specialty clinics are anticipated to register the highest CAGR from 2025 to 2031. Hospitals serve as primary centers for the diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care of colorectal cancer patients, offering a comprehensive range of medical services including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and emerging targeted therapies. Hospitals' prominence in this segment can be attributed to their advanced infrastructure, availability of specialized oncologists, multidisciplinary treatment teams, and access to state-of-the-art medical technologies. The rising incidence of colorectal cancer, especially in developing countries due to lifestyle changes, increasing aging populations, and enhanced screening programs, has significantly driven the demand for hospital-based treatment solutions. These institutions provide advanced patient care and contribute significantly to clinical research, thereby driving therapeutic advancements in colorectal cancer management. Leading hospitals worldwide, such as the Mayo Clinic (USA), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (USA), and the Royal Marsden Hospital (UK), are at the forefront of colorectal cancer treatment, integrating innovative therapies such as immunotherapy and precision medicine into standard care regimens. These institutions provide advanced patient care and contribute significantly to clinical research, thereby driving therapeutic advancements in colorectal cancer management.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment Market Share, by End Users, 2024 (%)

Source: The Insight Partners Analysis

The geographic scope of the Colorectal Cancer Treatment market report includes assessing the market performance in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America. North America is expected to dominate the market in 2024. The Colorectal Cancer Treatment Market in North America is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The rising number of cancer cases fuels the demand for advanced therapeutics and treatment options. In the US, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2022, more than 1.9 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the nation, causing ~0.61 million deaths. The source anticipated ~2.0 million cancer diagnoses in the US in 2024. As per the data of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the US. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that, for 2025, it will project ~154,270 new cases of colon and rectal cancer and 52,900 deaths from the disease. CRC incidence is ~33% higher in men than in women, and it is significantly elevated among certain racial and ethnic groups, including Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Black Americans. The disease typically affects older adults; the average age at diagnosis is 66, but the shifting demographics demand attention, as 10% or more of all new cases now occur in Americans under 50. While the average age of diagnosis is 66, the rise of "early-onset" CRC has led to revised screening guidelines, with major organizations recommending that average-risk individuals begin screening at age 45. The rising case of colorectal cancer fuels the need for innovative treatments, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Industry players Roche, Pfizer, Novartis, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Elli Lilly dominate the market through profound pipelines and strategic mergers & acquisitions.

The Colorectal Cancer Treatment market in North America caters to consumers seeking to prevent disease, manage cancer conditions, and promote overall health and wellness through colorectal cancer treatment. Emerging technologies, liquid biopsies, AI-based precision tools, and combination therapies optimize treatment effectiveness, further enriching the colorectal cancer treatment market.

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