Theranostics & PRRT
DOTATATE Scan and — Lu-177 PRRT Therapy
If your doctor has mentioned Lu-177 PRRT for a neuroendocrine tumour, a DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT scan is the required first step. The scan confirms whether your tumour expresses the receptor this therapy uses to find and treat cancer cells.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- The scan gates the therapy — PRRT is only offered when the DOTATATE scan confirms adequate somatostatin receptor expression on your tumour.
- Not every NET qualifies — Neuroendocrine tumours vary. The scan result, not the diagnosis alone, determines whether PRRT will proceed.
- A journey many patients make — Many people travel specifically for this scan. Your result will be reviewed by nuclear medicine and oncology together before any treatment decision.
- Tracer supply confirmed at booking — DOTATATE and DOTANOC tracers at partner imaging centres are confirmed available when you book your scan.
17+
Cancer Specialists
on Panel
on Panel
96.9%
Breast Cancer
Survival Rate*
Survival Rate*
15,000+
Patients
Treated
Treated
4.8★
Google Rating
(800+ reviews)
(800+ reviews)
A DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT scan is done before Lu-177 PRRT to confirm that your tumour cells express the somatostatin receptor this therapy targets. If the scan does not show adequate receptor expression, PRRT is unlikely to help and treatment will not go ahead. The scan result is the eligibility gate.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What is PRRT and how does it treat neuroendocrine tumours?
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy — PRRT — delivers targeted radiation directly to neuroendocrine tumour cells. It works by attaching a radioactive molecule, lutetium-177, to a peptide that binds to somatostatin receptors on the tumour surface.
It is used for well-differentiated, somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumours, most commonly those arising in the pancreas and gut. NCCN and ESMO guidelines recommend it for progressive disease in patients whose tumours express adequate receptor levels on imaging.
Treatment is given as a series of infusions at a licensed nuclear medicine centre, usually as a day procedure. The number of infusions and the interval between them are decided by the treating team based on your organ function and clinical picture.
What do you need before PRRT can go ahead?
- A confirmed neuroendocrine tumour diagnosis, including the grade, usually from a biopsy.
- A DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT scan confirming adequate somatostatin receptor expression on your tumour.
- Blood tests showing your kidney function is within an acceptable range for treatment.
- Blood counts showing adequate bone marrow reserve.
- A multidisciplinary team review involving nuclear medicine, oncology and relevant specialists.
- Coordination with a licensed nuclear medicine centre that administers PRRT.
Why does the DOTATATE scan have to happen before PRRT?
Lu-177 PRRT can only reach cells that carry somatostatin receptors. If your tumour does not express these receptors in sufficient numbers, the therapy cannot find the cancer cells and will not work.
The DOTATATE scan shows where receptors are expressed across your whole body and how strongly. This tells the treating team whether uptake is sufficient to make PRRT worthwhile, and it identifies all active disease sites at the same time.
A scan that shows insufficient uptake is not the end of all options. Your oncologist will explain which other treatments apply to your tumour type, grade and stage.
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.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
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
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
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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.
Get a straight answer from a specialist
45 minutes, your reports reviewed, your questions answered in plain language.
What do these terms mean: PRRT, DOTATATE and theranostics?
- Somatostatin receptor (SSTR)
- A protein on the surface of many neuroendocrine tumour cells. Lu-177 PRRT uses this receptor as its target — the therapy can only reach cells that carry it.
- DOTATATE
- A peptide that binds tightly to somatostatin receptors. Attached to gallium-68, it produces the PET-CT scan image. Attached to lutetium-177, it becomes the PRRT therapy.
- DOTANOC
- A closely related peptide that also binds somatostatin receptors, used as an alternative tracer for PET-CT imaging of neuroendocrine tumours.
- Theranostics
- Using the same targeting molecule for both imaging and therapy. The DOTATATE scan followed by Lu-177 PRRT is one of the clearest examples in oncology.
- NETs (neuroendocrine tumours)
- Cancers arising from hormone-producing cells in the pancreas, gut, lungs and other sites. Many NETs express the somatostatin receptor, making them candidates for DOTATATE imaging and PRRT.
What do families want to know before travelling for this scan?
What if the scan shows my tumour does not express the receptor?
Low or absent uptake means Lu-177 PRRT is unlikely to deliver meaningful radiation to your tumour, and NCCN and ESMO guidance does not recommend proceeding in that situation. This is genuinely difficult to hear after travelling for the scan. Your oncologist will explain what the result means for your specific tumour and which other options remain open for your grade and stage. The result is information about your tumour's biology — it is not the last word on what can be done.
Where is PRRT given? Is it available near us?
PRRT requires a nuclear medicine facility licensed to prepare and administer Lu-177 safely, and not every hospital in India offers it. The DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT scan can be coordinated through CION's partner imaging centres. The treatment itself is administered at a separate licensed nuclear medicine centre. Your nuclear medicine physician or oncologist will advise you on the nearest accredited centre for PRRT after reviewing your scan result.
How long does it take from scan to a treatment decision?
The scan report is usually produced within a few days, after which your case is discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting. The full timeline depends on when the meeting falls and how quickly your other investigations are available. Ask your team at booking when to expect the report and when the MDT review is scheduled, so you are not waiting without a clear timeline. If you have travelled for the scan, knowing this before you leave helps you plan the next steps.
Can PRRT be combined with other treatments?
Combinations of PRRT with other therapies are an active area of clinical research, and both NCCN and ESMO update their guidance regularly as evidence accumulates. Whether a combination is appropriate for you depends on your tumour type, what treatments you have already received, and your current organ function. Combining treatments is not always better — the evidence for each combination is evaluated separately, and your oncologist's recommendation will reflect what current guidance supports for your specific situation.
What does the indicative scan cost cover?
The indicative cost of ₹23,999 at partner imaging centres covers the DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT scan including the tracer. Tracer supply is confirmed at the time of booking. It does not cover consultation fees, additional blood tests, or subsequent treatment. Costs are indicative and may change; ask for a written estimate before your appointment. PRRT is a separate procedure with its own cost, administered at a licensed nuclear medicine centre.
Did you know?
Theranostics — using the same molecule for both imaging and treatment — is one of the most precisely targeted approaches in modern oncology.
In the DOTATATE system, the peptide that identifies your tumour on the scan is the same one that carries the radiation in therapy. The scan is not just a diagnostic step; it is a direct test of whether the treatment can physically reach your tumour.
Source: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
A whole-body PET-CT at CION is Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with a free Rs 950 oncologist consultation to talk through your report. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 72 more Specialised Tracers and How PET-CT Compares topics
DOTANOC & DOTATATE PET-CT
- DOTA PET and PRRT (Lu-177 DOTATATE) Therapy
- DOTANOC and DOTATATE PET-CT: What They Are
- DOTANOC vs DOTATATE: Is There a Difference?
- DOTATATE PET-CT Cost in Hyderabad
- False Positives on DOTA PET Scans
- Is DOTA PET Covered by Insurance in India?
- Is DOTATATE PET Available in Hyderabad?
- Preparing for a DOTANOC or DOTATATE Scan
- Reading a DOTA PET Report
- The Krenning Score on Your DOTA PET Report
- When Is a DOTA PET Scan Ordered?
- Why Do I Need Both a DOTA PET and an FDG PET?
FAPI, F-DOPA & Newer Tracers
- Amyloid and Tau PET for Dementia
- Can You Choose Your Own Tracer?
- Choline and Fluciclovine PET for Prostate Cancer
- F-18 NaF Bone PET: A Better Bone Scan?
- F-DOPA PET-CT: Uses in Parkinson's and Paraganglioma
- FAPI PET-CT Cost in Hyderabad
- FAPI PET-CT: The Tracer That Finds What FDG Misses
- FAPI vs FDG: When the Newer Tracer Is Better
- FES PET for Hormone-Receptor Breast Cancer
- MIBG Scan vs DOTA PET: Which for Neuroendocrine Disease?
- New PET Tracers Coming to India
- Tracer Availability and Why Your Scan Date Is Fixed
- Which PET Tracer Do You Actually Need?
- Why Specialised Tracers Cost More Than FDG
PET-CT vs Other Scans
- Can an MRI Replace a PET-CT to Avoid Radiation?
- Choosing Between Scans: A Decision Guide by Question
- Combining PET-CT With MRI in the Same Week
- Diagnostic CT vs the CT Inside a PET-CT
- Do You Need Both a CT and a PET-CT?
- Follow-Up Scanning: Alternating PET With Other Tests
- PET-CT vs Biopsy: Which Actually Diagnoses Cancer?
- PET-CT vs Bone Scan for Bone Metastases
- PET-CT vs CT Scan: What Is the Difference?
- PET-CT vs MRI: Which Do You Need?
- PET-CT vs PET-MRI: Is the Newer Machine Better?
- PET-CT vs Tumour Markers for Follow-Up
- PET-CT vs Ultrasound and Mammography
- PET-CT vs Whole-Body MRI for Screening
- When Is a PET-CT Not the Right Test?
- Why Your Doctor Ordered PET-CT and Not a Cheaper Scan
PSMA PET-CT
- False Positives on PSMA PET
- Is PSMA PET Available in Hyderabad and How Soon?
- Is PSMA PET Covered by Insurance or Aarogyasri?
- PSMA PET Before Prostate Surgery or Radiation
- PSMA PET and Lu-177 PSMA Therapy: The Link
- PSMA PET for Cancers Other Than Prostate
- PSMA PET vs Bone Scan and MRI for Prostate Cancer
- PSMA PET vs Normal FDG PET for Prostate Cancer
- PSMA PET-CT Scan Cost in Hyderabad
- PSMA PET-CT: What It Is and Who Needs It
- PSMA-Avid Lesions: What the Report Means
- Preparing for a PSMA PET-CT Scan
- Reading a PSMA PET Report: PRIMARY and miTNM
- Repeat PSMA Scans: How Often and Why
- Rising PSA With a Negative PSMA Scan: What Now?
- When Should You Get a PSMA PET Scan?
Timing Around Treatment
- Baseline PET-CT Before Starting Treatment: Why It Matters
- Can a PET-CT Be Done During Active Chemotherapy?
- Emergency and Urgent PET-CT: When It Cannot Wait
- How Soon After a Previous PET Can You Have Another?
- Interim vs End-of-Treatment Scanning
- PET-CT After Growth Factor Injections
- PET-CT After Steroids: Does It Affect the Scan?
- PET-CT After a Biopsy: How Long to Wait
- PET-CT Before Surgery: What Surgeons Want to Know
- Scanning Too Early: Why It Wastes Money and Causes Panic
- When Should You Have a PET-CT After Chemotherapy?
- When Should You Have a PET-CT After Immunotherapy?
- When Should You Have a PET-CT After Radiotherapy?
- When Should You Have a PET-CT After Surgery?
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
What if my DOTATATE scan shows low or no uptake?
Low or absent uptake means the tumour does not carry enough somatostatin receptors for Lu-177 PRRT to target effectively. NCCN and ESMO guidance does not recommend PRRT when uptake is insufficient on imaging. If your scan does not qualify you, your oncologist will explain the other treatment options that apply to your tumour type, grade and stage. Knowing this before starting is exactly what the scan is for — it directs you toward the treatment most likely to help.
Which cancers is PRRT used for?
PRRT is most established for well-differentiated, somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours — those arising in the pancreas, small bowel, stomach and related sites. NCCN and ESMO guidance also recognises it for certain lung NETs. Your oncologist will confirm whether your specific tumour type and grade fall within current treatment guidelines before the DOTATATE scan is arranged.
Is the DOTATATE PET-CT the same as a routine PET-CT scan?
No. A standard PET-CT uses an FDG tracer that measures metabolic activity and is used across many cancer types. A DOTATATE or DOTANOC PET-CT uses a different tracer that binds specifically to somatostatin receptors. It is far more sensitive for well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours than an FDG scan, and it is the required imaging before PRRT. The two scans measure different biological properties and are not interchangeable for NETs.
Can we use a DOTATATE scan done at another hospital?
A scan from an accredited facility is usually reviewed, but the treating team will need the original images and written report, not just a summary. Bring all imaging discs and reports to your consultation. If the scan was done some time ago, a repeat may be requested, because tumour receptor expression can change over time and current imaging gives a more accurate picture of where your disease stands now.
What happens after a full course of PRRT?
At the end of a planned course, the treating team reviews how your organs — particularly the kidneys — have tolerated treatment and how the tumour has responded on follow-up imaging. Whether further courses are possible depends on organ tolerance and tumour response. Ask your nuclear medicine physician before starting how many infusions are planned and what the review process at the end involves, so you have a clear picture of the full treatment journey.
Can CION arrange the DOTATATE scan and referral to PRRT?
CION coordinates DOTATATE and DOTANOC PET-CT scans through partner imaging centres, with tracer supply confirmed at booking. PRRT itself is administered at licensed nuclear medicine centres; after your scan result is reviewed by your CION oncologist and nuclear medicine team, they will advise you on the appropriate centre for treatment. Your CION team can walk you through the steps from scan booking to treatment referral.