Scan day: what to expect
How Long Does a PET-CT — Scan Actually Take?
The scan itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes inside the machine. Your total visit is usually two and a half to three hours, because the tracer injected before the scan needs time to reach every part of your body before the machine can read it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Two very different numbers — The scan takes 20–30 minutes. Your visit takes 2.5–3 hours. The gap is the waiting period, not the machine.
- The wait is the science — The radioactive tracer needs around an hour of quiet rest to distribute through your body before imaging can begin.
- Fasting is required — You will be asked not to eat for several hours before, because food raises blood glucose and affects how the tracer works.
- Plan around the full visit — Bring something to read for the waiting period. Most people leave within three hours of arriving.
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The scan itself takes 20–30 minutes inside the machine. Your total visit is usually two and a half to three hours, because a radioactive tracer is injected first and must be given around an hour to settle into your tissues before the machine can read it accurately. Plan your day around the longer number.
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Why does the visit take so much longer than the scan?
The waiting time is not a delay. It is the part of the process that makes the scan work.
Before the scan, a small amount of radioactive tracer — a glucose-like substance — is injected into a vein. Your body's cells absorb it in proportion to how active they are. Cancer cells tend to absorb it faster than healthy cells, and that difference is what the scanner reads.
For that difference to show clearly, the tracer needs time to travel through your bloodstream and settle into your tissues. During this period you rest quietly, usually in a chair, for around 45 to 60 minutes. Walking around or talking actively uses muscles and pulls the tracer toward areas that are not the focus of the scan.
Only after that uptake period is complete does the scanning itself begin.
What happens from arrival to leaving?
Arrival and preparation
You check in and the team confirms your fasting and any medications. A blood glucose reading is taken, because high glucose reduces how well the tracer distributes. If the reading is too high, your scan may need to be rescheduled.
Tracer injection
A small cannula is placed in a vein, usually in your arm, and the tracer is given. This takes a few minutes and is not painful beyond the initial needle.
Uptake period — rest quietly
You rest in a reclining chair or a quiet room for around 45 to 60 minutes. You are asked to avoid walking, talking, and using your phone, because muscle activity affects where the tracer concentrates.
The scan
You lie on a flat table that moves slowly through a large, open ring. You must stay still, but you are not enclosed and can see out of both ends. The machine makes a low humming sound. This takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Discharge
A staff member confirms you are comfortable, gives aftercare instructions, and lets you know when your report will be ready. Most people leave feeling the same as when they arrived.
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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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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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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How is the time divided across the visit?
| Phase | Typical duration | What you are doing |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and glucose check | 10–15 minutes | Answering questions; blood glucose is measured |
| Tracer injection | A few minutes | A small cannula is placed; the tracer is given |
| Uptake period | 45–60 minutes | Resting quietly — movement is kept to a minimum |
| Scan in the machine | 20–30 minutes | Lying still while the scanner moves over your body |
| Discharge | 5–10 minutes | Aftercare instructions; confirming your report timeline |
| Total visit | Usually 2.5–3 hours | — |
Did you know?
The tracer used in most PET scans — fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG — has a short radioactive half-life. By the time you leave the imaging centre, a large proportion has already broken down naturally inside your body.
You do not need to isolate from family after the scan, though your team may suggest avoiding prolonged close contact with young children or pregnant women for the rest of that day.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) radiation safety guidance for nuclear medicine procedures
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 64 more Preparing For and Having Your Scan Safely topics
Scan Day: What Actually Happens
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- How Long Does a PET-CT Scan Take?
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- Is a PET-CT Scanner Closed Like an MRI? Claustrophobia Explained
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- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
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Diabetes & Blood Sugar for PET-CT
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Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
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- 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
Can I eat or drink anything before a PET-CT scan?
You will be asked to fast for several hours before the scan — your appointment letter will give the exact instruction. Water and prescribed medications are usually allowed. Fasting matters because eating raises blood glucose, and when glucose is high the tracer cannot distribute correctly. If you eat accidentally, tell the team on arrival rather than saying nothing. The scan may still be possible, or it may need to be rescheduled to get a usable result.
Is the tracer injection safe?
The tracer is given in a very small amount and the radiation dose is low — comparable to that from standard diagnostic imaging. The radioactivity fades quickly after the scan. Allergic reactions are rare. If you are pregnant, or think you might be, tell the team before the injection is given, as the scan would need to be reconsidered. If you are breastfeeding, ask your team about any precautions for the day of the scan.
Can the scan be done faster if I am in pain or cannot lie still?
The uptake period cannot usually be shortened — reducing it affects the quality of the images. If lying flat is difficult because of pain, tell the team before the scan day if possible so they can prepare. Pain medication timed correctly, positioning aids, and clear communication with the radiographer can all help. In some situations a shorter scan field is used, which reduces time in the machine. The team would rather know in advance than work around an undisclosed problem during the scan.
Will I feel anything during the scan?
The scan itself is painless. The machine makes a low humming sound and the table moves slowly, but the ring is wide and open at both ends — there is no enclosed tunnel. Some people find the room cold. You are asked to stay still, which can become uncomfortable over 20 to 30 minutes. If you know that lying flat causes you pain, tell the team before you go in so they can help you find a position you can hold.
When will I get my PET-CT results?
The images are reviewed and reported by a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, and that report goes to your oncologist. At CION, scans are coordinated through partner imaging centres, and your oncologist will tell you when to expect the report and at which appointment it will be discussed. If your situation is urgent, your team can request a priority review — ask them directly rather than waiting and wondering.