After the scan
What to Expect — After Your PET-CT Scan
Most people walk out of a PET-CT scan feeling exactly as they did when they walked in. Here is what the next few hours look like, and how the report reaches your oncologist.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- No recovery time needed — You do not need to wait for the tracer to wear off. Most people leave within minutes of the scan finishing.
- The tracer passes naturally — Your body breaks it down on its own. Drinking water through the day speeds this along.
- Normal activity the same day — You can eat, drink, drive, and do most things as usual once you leave.
- The report goes to your oncologist — You will not receive results at the imaging centre. Your oncologist gets the report and will discuss it with you.
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Most people leave a PET-CT scan feeling completely normal. The tracer breaks down and passes out in your urine over a few hours. You can usually eat, drive, and carry on with the day as usual. Your report is sent directly to your oncologist, not handed to you at the centre.
A whole-body PET-CT at CION costs from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Are there any after-effects from the scan?
For most people, there are no noticeable after-effects. The tracer is given in a very small amount and is not the same as a CT contrast dye — it does not cause flushing or nausea.
You may feel mildly tired from lying still for the duration of the scan, especially if you have been unwell or weak. This passes quickly for most people.
The injection site may be slightly tender or show a small bruise, which settles on its own within a day or two.
What happens from the moment the scan finishes?
The scanner stops
The radiographer will come in and let you know the scan is complete. They will lower the table and help you down if you need it.
A brief check
Staff will check that you are feeling well before you move to the waiting area. Tell them if you feel dizzy, unwell, or have any discomfort.
Drink water
You will be asked to drink water before leaving. This helps your kidneys flush the tracer out faster.
Collect your belongings
Items stored for you during the scan — phone, snacks, jewellery — are returned. You may be given a CD or printed referral to take to your oncologist.
You are free to leave
There is no required observation period for most people. You can travel home by yourself and drive, unless you were given a sedative before the scan.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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Medical Oncologist
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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
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
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Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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What should you do for the rest of today?
- Drink water steadily through the day to help flush the tracer.
- Eat normally — the fasting before the scan is finished.
- Avoid sitting very close to pregnant women, infants, and young children for a few hours.
- You can use public transport, drive, and return to desk work.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
- Wait for your oncologist to contact you about the report — results are not given at the imaging centre.
What is normal and what should you mention to your team?
| Experience | Normal after a PET-CT | Worth mentioning to your team |
|---|---|---|
| How you feel overall | Completely normal for most people | Feeling faint, short of breath, or unwell after leaving |
| Injection site | Mild tenderness or a small bruise | Swelling, spreading redness, or heat around the site |
| Needing to urinate | More than usual — the tracer passes in urine | Pain or burning when urinating |
| Energy level | Mildly tired from lying still | Significant fatigue continuing into the next day |
| Typically resolves | Same day, within a few hours of leaving | Anything worsening rather than settling — contact your team |
Did you know?
The tracer used in most PET-CT scans has a radioactive half-life measured in hours, not days. By the time you reach home, your body has already broken down a significant portion of it.
This is why the radiation precautions after the scan are brief — and why PET-CT can be repeated safely when your oncologist needs to reassess.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — across 4 partner centres in Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Himayatnagar and Narayanaguda. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 64 more Preparing For and Having Your Scan Safely topics
Scan Day: What Actually Happens
- Can Someone Stay With Me During the Scan?
- Can You Drive Yourself Home After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Have Sedation for a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Done on the Same Day as Other Tests?
- Contrast in a PET-CT Scan: When It Is Used and Why
- Eating and Drinking After Your PET-CT Scan
- How Long Does a PET-CT Scan Take?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Painful?
- Is a PET-CT Scanner Closed Like an MRI? Claustrophobia Explained
- The Tracer Injection: Does It Hurt?
- What Happens If the Scan Cannot Be Completed?
- What If You Cannot Lie Still or Have Tremors?
- What to Expect Immediately After the Scan
- Why Was My Scan Repeated or Extended on the Day?
- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
- Your PET-CT Scan Day: What Happens, Step by Step
Diabetes & Blood Sugar for PET-CT
- A Diabetic Patient's PET-CT Day Plan
- Best Appointment Time for a Diabetic PET Scan
- Can Diabetics Take Their Tablets Before a PET Scan?
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- Fasting Safely With Diabetes Before a Scan
- Insulin and PET-CT: Timing Rules
- Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Found Before a Scan
- PET-CT Scan With Diabetes: The Complete Preparation Guide
- PET-CT With Steroid-Induced High Sugars
- What Blood Sugar Level Is Needed for a PET-CT Scan?
- What Happens If Your Sugar Is High on the Day?
- What to Eat the Day Before if You Have Diabetes
Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
- Can I Drink Water Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can I Have a PET-CT Scan During My Period?
- Can I Take My Regular Medicines Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Reschedule a PET-CT Scan?
- Cold Weather, Shivering and Brown Fat: Why You Are Asked to Stay Warm
- Fasting Before a PET-CT Scan: How Long and Why
- How to Prepare for a PET-CT Scan: The Complete Checklist
- Preparing a Very Elderly or Frail Person for a PET-CT
- Preparing a Wheelchair-Bound or Bedridden Patient
- Preparing for a PSMA, DOTATATE or FAPI PET-CT
- Should I Avoid Exercise Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Smoking, Alcohol and Caffeine Before a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Break the Fast by Mistake?
- What to Carry to Your PET-CT Appointment
- What to Eat the Day Before a PET-CT Scan
- What to Wear to a PET-CT Scan
- Why Your Kidney Function Test Is Needed Before a PET-CT
Radiation Safety & After-Scan Precautions
- Are You Radioactive After a PET-CT Scan?
- Being Around Pregnant Women After a PET-CT Scan
- Can I Hold My Child or Grandchild After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Cause Cancer?
- Cumulative Radiation From Repeated Scans
- Do You Need Precautions After a PSMA or DOTATATE Scan?
- Do You Need Separate Utensils or a Separate Toilet After a PET-CT?
- How Long Does the Tracer Stay in Your Body?
- How Long Should You Avoid Close Contact After a PET-CT?
- How Many PET-CT Scans Are Safe in a Year?
- How Much Radiation Is in a PET-CT Scan?
- Is PET-CT Radiation Different From Radiotherapy?
- Is the Radiation From a PET-CT Scan Dangerous?
- PET-CT Radiation Compared With CT, X-Ray and Natural Background
- Radiation Safety at Home After Your Scan: A Family Checklist
- Radiation Safety for Staff and Attendants at the Centre
- Simple Steps to Clear the Tracer Faster
- Travelling Home After a PET-CT Scan: Public Transport and Airports
Your next step
Talk to an oncologist about your scan
Your PET-CT report read by a senior oncologist, explained in plain language, with a free 45-minute consultation.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When will the PET-CT report be ready?
The report is prepared by a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist and sent directly to your oncologist. Turnaround varies between partner imaging centres and depends on the complexity of what was found, so no fixed timeline can be guaranteed. Ask your oncologist's team when to expect a call or appointment — they are better placed to tell you than the imaging centre itself.
Can I eat and drink normally after the scan?
Yes. The fasting before the scan is over the moment you leave the scanner. Eat as you normally would, and drink more water than usual through the day to help your body clear the tracer. If you were given a sedative before the scan, follow any specific eating instructions your centre gave you for that day.
Is it safe to be around my family, including young children?
Yes, with a brief and simple precaution. For a few hours after the scan, avoid sitting very close to pregnant women, infants, and young children for extended periods — long cuddles or holding a small child on your lap for an hour is what to avoid, not ordinary household movement or sitting in the same room. After those few hours, there are no restrictions. The tracer decays quickly and the exposure involved is very low.
Can I drive myself home after the scan?
Yes, if you were not given a sedative. The scan itself does not affect your alertness or ability to drive. If you were given a sedative to help you stay still, you will have been told before the appointment to arrange a lift home — follow that instruction. If you are unsure whether you had a sedative, ask the radiographer before you leave the centre.
Why can't the radiographer tell me what the scan showed?
The radiographer's role is to carry out the scan accurately, not to interpret the images. That interpretation is done by a specialist physician after you leave, and the report goes to your oncologist who will discuss the findings with you in context. This is standard practice at all imaging centres, and it is not a sign that something is wrong. If the wait is making you anxious, let your oncologist's team know — they can often give you a timeline for the conversation even if they cannot share the result early.