Hospitals are the largest end‑user segment — they have the interventional radiology suites, the anaesthesia support, and the backup for complications. But specialty centers are the fastest‑growing. The US tumor ablation market research study shows that specialty centers are growing at over 10% CAGR, because they focus exclusively on minimally invasive procedures and offer a more patient‑centred experience.

What's the difference? A hospital‑based centre may treat all cancers, while a specialty centre may focus on liver or kidney ablation. The US tumor ablation market trends highlight that the fastest‑growing treatment is percutaneous ablation, which is often done in an outpatient setting — perfect for specialty centres.

But specialty centres may not have 24/7 coverage for emergencies. That's why complex cases (e.g., tumours near the heart) are better done in hospitals.

The bottom line: for routine ablation, a good specialty centre is fine. For complex cases, go to a hospital.