Medical Oncologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Carrying your CT and MRI scans between hospitals | CION Cancer Clinics
Carry the scan disc or download link, not just the films, to every new hospital. Liver tumours are judged across several phases of a scan, and the specialist needs the full set of images to decide. This page explains what to put in one folder, how to get a working copy before you travel, and how to avoid repeating a scan you have already had. At CION Cancer Clinics, our team supports patients and families through symptoms, follow-up and life during and after treatment.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed October 2026, next review due October 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
On this page
- Do I need to carry my CT films and CD to the next hospital?
- What should I carry, and what can stay at home?
- How do I get my scan images ready to take with me?
- What do the words on the scan disc mean?
- Is a photo of the report on WhatsApp enough?
- What this page cannot tell you
- Common questions about carrying scans
The short answer
Do I need to carry my CT films and CD to the next hospital?
Yes. Carry the CD or the download link with the full scan images, plus the printed report, to every new hospital. The films and the report alone are rarely enough for a liver decision, because the specialist needs to scroll through every slice and every phase of the scan.
Why the disc matters more than the films
A sheet of films shows a few chosen pictures. The disc holds the whole scan, often hundreds of images taken at different moments after the contrast injection. Liver tumours are judged by how they light up and fade across those moments, so a radiologist reading your scan again needs all of them. Without the disc, a hospital may ask you to repeat the scan, which costs money, time and another dose of contrast.
Why the old scans matter too
The earlier scans are just as useful as the latest one. A spot that has not changed over a long time means something different from a spot that is new. Keep every disc, even the ones from a different hospital or from before anyone mentioned cancer.
This applies whether the scan shows a primary liver tumour or cancer that has spread to the liver from elsewhere.The folder
What should I carry, and what can stay at home?
One folder, in date order, with the newest papers on top. Keep the originals and hand over copies wherever you can.
Scan images
Every CT, MRI and PET-CT disc, or the online link and password. Label each disc with the date and the hospital in marker pen.
Printed reports
The radiologist's typed report for each scan. Doctors read this first and then check the images themselves.
Blood tests
Liver function tests, AFP, clotting tests such as INR, and hepatitis B or C reports. These show how well the liver is working.
Biopsy and procedure papers
Any biopsy report, and discharge summaries from TACE, surgery or endoscopy. If a biopsy was taken, ask where the tissue blocks and slides are stored.
A one-page summary
Write it yourself if nobody else has. It should list what was found, when, what was done, and every medicine taken now.
Can usually stay at home
- Old bills, once copies are kept
- Duplicate sets of the same films
- Unrelated reports from many years ago
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistBefore you travel
How do I get my scan images ready to take with me?
Ask for the disc on the day of the scan
Most scan centres will burn a CD or give an online link when the report is ready. Ask for it before you leave. Getting it later usually means another trip and sometimes a fee.
Check that the disc actually works
Put it into a computer or open the link before travelling. You should see a viewer program or a folder of image files. A blank or unreadable disc wastes the appointment.
Ask for the full study
For a liver scan, ask for "all series and all phases". Some centres copy only the key pictures unless asked. More on why this matters is in why liver scans need three timings.
Send it ahead if you can
Many hospitals accept images and reports in advance. Sending them before you travel lets the radiologist review the scan, so the consultation can start with an answer instead of a wait.
Keep a spare copy at home
Hospitals sometimes keep a disc for review. A second copy, or a saved download, means you are never left without your own images.
On the disc and the report
What do the words on the scan disc mean?
- DICOM
- The standard format for medical images. Any hospital can open DICOM files, which is why the disc matters more than photographs of the films.
- PACS
- The computer system a hospital stores scans on. An outside disc is usually loaded into PACS so radiologists can compare it with new scans.
- Series
- One set of images taken together. A liver scan has several series, one for each phase.
- Phases
- The moments after the contrast injection when the pictures are taken, such as arterial, portal venous and delayed. Liver tumours are read by comparing them.
- Second read
- A fresh report on your existing images by another radiologist, without repeating the scan.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Commonly believed
Is a photo of the report on WhatsApp enough?
"A photo of the report on WhatsApp is enough for the doctor."
It helps for a first conversation. A treatment decision needs the actual images, because the doctor wants to see the tumour, the blood vessels and the liver itself.
"The new hospital will repeat the scan anyway, so the old one is useless."
A repeat is sometimes needed, if the scan is old or the wrong type. Even then, the earlier scan shows how fast things have changed, which nothing else can show.
"If the first hospital keeps the disc, we have lost it."
You are entitled to ask for copies of your own records. Ask the records or radiology desk for a fresh copy. See getting your records copied.
"Taking our scans elsewhere will offend our doctor."
Seeking another view is normal in liver cancer, where several specialists are involved anyway. Most doctors expect it and will share the records.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you what your scan shows, or whether an older scan is still recent enough to plan treatment on. That depends on the type of scan, the treatment being considered and how quickly things are changing. The team reviewing your case will say whether a new scan is needed and why.
Who this does not apply to
If all your care is in one hospital with one shared record, you may never need to carry a disc. The advice here is for families moving between a district scan centre, a hospital in Hyderabad and a partner hospital for procedures, which is the common pattern in liver cancer. It also does not cover sending scans abroad, which has its own rules.
If you are unsure what to send
Send everything you have and let the team sort it. A second opinion on liver imaging is only as good as the images it is based on.
CION's tumour board reviews outside scans, and CION arranges a new scan through diagnostic partners when one is needed.Questions we are asked
Common questions about carrying scans
Is the CD better than the printed films?
Yes, for a liver decision. The films show a handful of pictures chosen by one radiologist. The CD carries the whole scan, every phase, which another radiologist needs to make their own judgement. Bring both, plus the typed report, whenever you have them.
The disc will not open on my computer. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. Many discs need a viewer program that runs from the disc itself, and some laptops have no disc drive. The hospital can usually still read it. If it truly fails, ask the scan centre for a fresh copy or an online link before you travel.
Can I send my scans online instead of travelling?
Often, yes. Many centres share a download link, and many hospitals accept images sent ahead. This is useful for district families, because the team can review the scan before deciding whether you need to come in person. Treatment itself still needs a visit.
Do I have to pay for copies of my scans?
Some centres give a disc free with the scan and others charge a small fee for extra copies. It varies by hospital. Ask at the time of the scan, when it is quickest and usually cheapest to get one.
How old can a scan be before a new one is needed?
There is no single rule. It depends on the tumour, the treatment being planned and whether anything has been done since the scan. Liver tumours can change, so planning often needs a recent scan. The reviewing team will tell you and explain why.
What about biopsy slides and blocks?
These are stored by the laboratory that tested the tissue. They can be lent for a second opinion on request. Ask the lab how to borrow them, and keep the receipt. See second-opinion pathology for more.
Should I give my only copy to the hospital?
Avoid it if you can. Hand over a copy, or ask the hospital to load the disc and return it the same day. Keep originals of reports at home in one folder, and carry photocopies to appointments. This protects you if a file goes missing.
Who can help us if we have lost a scan?
Go back to the scan centre first. Most keep images for a long time and can produce a new disc. If that fails, tell the reviewing team; they may manage with the report and a new scan. Call the CION helpline if you need help working out what is missing.
Your Specialists
Meet CION's liver cancer specialists. Bring your scan reports and liver blood tests.
Our medical and surgical oncologists plan liver cancer care together, weighing the tumour and how well your liver works before choosing surgery, a liver-directed procedure or medicines.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Sources
- American College of Radiology — ACR Liver Imaging Reporting & Data System (LI-RADS®)
- American Cancer Society — Diagnosing Liver Cancer
- Cancer Research UK — Diagnosing liver cancer
- NHS — Tests and next steps for liver cancer
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Keeping your own records and scan copiesHow to keep the folder in order over timeSecond opinions on liver imagingWhat a fresh read of your scan can changeWhy liver cancer has so many doctorsWho will ask to see your scans, and whyGetting your medical records copiedHow to ask a hospital for your files
Talk to us
Want someone to review the scans you already have?
Send us your scan images and reports, and CION's tumour board can look at them before you travel. One helpline serves every CION centre.