F-DOPA PET-CT — Uses in Parkinson's and Paraganglioma

FDG shows glucose uptake, which most cancers and areas of inflammation share. F-DOPA follows a completely different pathway — it enters cells that handle dopamine, either in the brain's movement centres or in neuroendocrine tumours. This means it can detect changes that show nothing on an FDG scan. The two tracers answer different clinical questions, and your doctor chooses based on what they are looking for, not on which is newer or more advanced.

The scan gives your neurologist important information but does not diagnose Parkinson's disease on its own. Essential tremor — the most common type of tremor in adults — does not involve dopamine cell loss, so the scan is typically normal in those cases. That normal result is clinically useful because it supports a diagnosis of essential tremor rather than Parkinson's. Your neurologist will interpret the result alongside your full clinical picture, not in isolation.

You will usually be asked to eat a low-protein meal in the hours before the scan, because dietary protein competes with the tracer for uptake. Some medicines — particularly levodopa and other dopaminergic drugs used for Parkinson's — may need to be paused. The partner imaging centre will give you personalised instructions when your appointment is confirmed. Follow them carefully, as preparation directly affects image quality.

Allow roughly 90 minutes to two hours at the imaging centre in total. The radiotracer needs time to be absorbed before imaging begins, so there is a waiting period after the injection. The scan itself is similar to a standard PET-CT: you lie still on the table while the scanner moves around you. You can usually eat and drink normally once the scan is complete.

There is published research on F-DOPA and related amino acid PET tracers in brain tumour grading and recurrence detection. This is an area of active investigation and is not yet routine in most guidelines. We do not yet have enough evidence to recommend it as a standard tool for brain tumour assessment. If your neuro-oncologist considers it relevant for your situation, they will advise whether it is appropriate and available at your nearest partner centre.

F-DOPA PET-CT is coordinated through CION's partner imaging centres rather than performed at CION day care units directly. Your treating oncologist or neurologist at CION raises the request and the team arranges the appointment at the nearest suitable centre. The indicative cost is ₹23,999 — confirm the current amount with your CION team, as it may vary by centre. Tracer supply can vary by location, so ask your team about availability when you book.