Head & Neck Cancer PET-CT
PET-CT for Head and Neck Cancer: — What It Costs in Hyderabad
The cost of a PET-CT for head and neck cancer in Hyderabad varies by imaging centre and scan type. Most government health schemes and cashless insurance policies cover it — but only if the approval process is followed before you book.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Costs vary by centre — There is no fixed price. Scheme rates, self-pay rates, and cashless insurance rates are all different.
- Most schemes cover it — CGHS, AB-PMJAY, Aarogyasri, and state employee health schemes generally include PET-CT when referred by an oncologist.
- PET-CT is not the whole workup — A biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. PET-CT shows where disease may be active but cannot replace tissue testing.
- Timing matters after radiation — A response-assessment scan is done after a waiting period. Your team will tell you the interval that applies to you.
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A PET-CT for head and neck cancer in Hyderabad is done at partner imaging centres, and costs vary by centre and scan type. CGHS, Aarogyasri, AB-PMJAY, and most cashless insurance policies cover it when your oncologist refers you. Confirm your scheme's coverage before you book — approvals are sometimes required in advance.
CION's PET-CT scans in Hyderabad start at Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What happens at a PET-CT appointment for head and neck cancer?
Referral and booking
Your oncologist writes a referral and specifies the scan protocol. CION coordinates the appointment at a partner imaging centre.
Fasting preparation
You fast for several hours before the scan. Your team gives exact instructions, including whether your usual medicines can be taken that morning.
Radiotracer injection
A small amount of radioactive glucose is injected into a vein in your arm. It feels no different from a routine blood draw.
Waiting period
You sit quietly for around an hour while the tracer distributes through your body. Walking and phone use are discouraged during this time.
The scan
You lie still on a table that moves through the scanner. The machine does not touch you. The scan usually takes less than half an hour.
Report and review
The radiologist sends the report to your oncologist. Your oncologist explains the findings at your next appointment — not the imaging centre.
How much does a PET-CT cost for head and neck cancer in Hyderabad?
The cost varies by imaging centre and by the scan protocol your oncologist requests.
If you are covered under CGHS, AB-PMJAY, Aarogyasri, or a state employee health scheme in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh, the scan may be covered — but the scheme's approval process must be followed before you book, not after.
Ask the imaging centre's billing desk for a written cost estimate. Ask your oncologist's team whether a pre-authorisation letter is needed for your scheme.
Is a PET-CT the only test needed for head and neck cancer?
No. PET-CT is one part of a workup that usually includes several tests.
A tissue biopsy is essential — it is the only test that confirms whether the growth is cancer and what type it is. PET-CT shows where disease may be active, but it cannot replace a biopsy.
MRI is often added to give more detail on the local extent of a tumour. Your oncologist will tell you which combination of tests applies to your case.
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
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)
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Medical Oncologist
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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
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When is a PET-CT done — before treatment, or after?
PET-CT is used at two main points: before treatment starts, to stage the disease, and after chemoradiation, to assess how well treatment has worked.
After radiation therapy, your team will tell you how long to wait before a response-assessment scan is done. Radiation causes inflammation that can look like active disease on a scan, and the wait allows this to settle.
The interval is a general guideline — your specific timing depends on your treatment protocol and your team's judgement.
Did you know?
Head and neck cancers — including oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers — are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
ICMR data links this disproportionate burden to high rates of tobacco and areca nut use in the region.
Source: ICMR National Cancer Registry Programme
How does cost and coverage work?
What is CGHS and how do I use it for a PET-CT?
CGHS covers central government employees, pensioners, and their dependants. PET-CT is covered when a CGHS-empanelled specialist refers you and the correct procedure code appears on the referral. You must attend a CGHS-empanelled imaging centre. Ask your oncologist to confirm empanelment status before booking, and keep the referral letter for reimbursement.
What is AB-PMJAY and who qualifies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?
AB-PMJAY covers economically vulnerable families. Aarogyasri and the Andhra Pradesh health scheme build on it. Coverage for PET-CT depends on your approved cancer treatment package. Ask your oncologist's team to confirm whether the scan is included in your package and whether the imaging centre accepts your scheme.
What if I have no scheme and cannot pay privately?
Tell your oncologist before cancelling or postponing the scan. Government oncology departments in Hyderabad offer PET-CT at subsidised rates. Cancer foundations in the region provide one-time diagnostic cost assistance. Do not skip the scan — raise the issue early so your team has time to help.
Does private health insurance cover PET-CT for cancer?
Most cashless policies cover PET-CT when referred by an oncologist for diagnosis or staging. Coverage for surveillance scans after treatment varies. Read your policy's list of covered investigations, or call your insurer before booking. Many policies require pre-authorisation — request it as soon as the scan is recommended, because approval takes time.
Do I need a pre-authorisation letter, and how do I get one?
Pre-authorisation is written approval from your insurer or scheme before the scan is done. Without it, reimbursement is often declined even when coverage exists. Your oncologist writes a referral with the clinical indication. The insurer or scheme typically responds within a working day or two. Start the process as soon as the scan is recommended.
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city — including an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before a PET-CT scan for head and neck cancer?
Yes. You typically fast for several hours before the scan. Fasting matters because the radiotracer is glucose-based, and eating beforehand affects how it is taken up by your body. If you have diabetes, tell the imaging centre when you book — you will need specific preparation instructions. Water is usually permitted; confirm with your team whether your usual medicines can be taken that morning.
How long does the whole PET-CT appointment take?
Allow a few hours from arrival to leaving. The injection takes a few minutes, then you wait quietly for around an hour. The scan itself is usually less than half an hour. The report goes to your oncologist, not to you on the day — your team explains the findings at your next appointment.
Can I have a PET-CT under Aarogyasri or AB-PMJAY in Hyderabad?
Possibly. Coverage depends on your approved cancer treatment package and whether the imaging centre is empanelled under your scheme. Not every centre accepts Aarogyasri or AB-PMJAY. Ask your oncologist's team to confirm before booking. If the partner centre CION coordinates with is not empanelled, your team can direct you to one that is.
What if I cannot afford a PET-CT right now?
Tell your oncologist before cancelling the scan. Government oncology departments in Hyderabad offer PET-CT at subsidised rates. Cancer foundations in the region can assist with one-time diagnostic costs. Postponing a staging or response-assessment scan delays treatment decisions — raise the issue early so your team has time to find a way forward.
How long after radiation do I wait before a response-assessment PET-CT?
There is a waiting period after radiation finishes before the response-assessment scan is done. Radiation causes inflammation that can appear active on a PET-CT, and waiting allows this to settle. General guidance from bodies such as ASCO and ESMO recommends waiting a number of weeks, but the exact interval depends on your treatment protocol and your team's judgement. Your oncologist will tell you the timing that applies to you.
Will the PET-CT report tell me if the cancer is gone?
No PET-CT report can confirm that cancer is cured. The scan shows which areas appear metabolically active and which seem to have responded to treatment. A low-activity scan after treatment is encouraging, but your oncologist reviews it alongside your clinical examination. Where there is any doubt, a biopsy may be needed to confirm what the scan is showing. The scan is one piece of evidence, not a final answer.