Before your scan
How Long to Get — a PET-CT Appointment in Hyderabad?
Most PET-CT scans in Hyderabad can be arranged within a few days of referral. The wait is not a queue problem — it is a chemistry constraint. The radioactive tracer must be prepared for a specific time slot and cannot be held in reserve for walk-in patients.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Usually within a few days — Most partner centres schedule a PET-CT within one to three working days of a referral.
- Walk-in is not possible anywhere — The radiotracer decays rapidly and is prepared to order — walk-in scans are not technically feasible at any centre.
- Prepare the evening before — Fasting and blood-sugar management begin the night before the scan, not on the morning itself.
- Your oncologist reads the result — The scanning centre writes the report. Your oncologist is who discusses what it means for your treatment.
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Most PET-CT scans in Hyderabad are scheduled within one to three working days of a referral. Appointments cannot be walk-in because the radioactive tracer — fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG — is prepared to order for a specific time and cannot be held once made. Urgent referrals can often be seen within 24 to 48 hours.
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.
Why are PET-CT slots fixed and not walk-in?
The radioactive tracer used in a PET scan — usually fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG — has a very short half-life. It begins to decay the moment it is made, which means the scanning centre must order the exact dose for a specific time slot on a specific day.
Once the tracer is prepared and delivered, the scan must happen within a narrow window. If you arrive late or the slot shifts, the dose is no longer usable and cannot be transferred to another patient.
This is not an administrative choice. It is a quality requirement. A centre that offered walk-in PET-CTs would not be more accommodating — the scan simply cannot be done that way if the result is to be reliable.
Can you get a same-day or next-day PET-CT scan in Hyderabad?
Same-day scans are not possible because the tracer must be ordered before the day begins. Urgent scans can often be arranged within 24 to 48 hours if your oncologist contacts the imaging centre with a clear clinical reason.
CION coordinates scans through four partner PET-CT centres in Hyderabad. If your referral is marked urgent, the team will reach out to find the earliest available slot across those centres rather than booking through the standard queue.
If you are waiting for a scan before treatment can start, tell your oncologist you are ready immediately. That changes the priority of your booking.
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
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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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 do the terms in your PET-CT booking actually mean?
- Radiotracer (FDG)
- The mildly radioactive sugar injected before the scan. Cancer cells absorb it faster than normal tissue, which is what the scanner detects.
- Half-life
- The time it takes for half the tracer's radioactivity to fade. FDG's half-life is very short, which is why doses must be made to order and cannot be stockpiled or held.
- Uptake period
- The roughly 45 to 60 minutes between the tracer injection and the start of scanning, during which you rest quietly so the tracer distributes evenly through your body.
- Fasting window
- The period before the scan during which you must not eat. Food raises blood sugar, which competes with the tracer and reduces image quality.
- Report turnaround
- The time from your scan to a written report — typically one to two working days. This is separate from when your oncologist sits with you to discuss what the report means.
What should you do before your PET-CT scan?
- Tell the booking team about diabetes, insulin, or any blood-sugar medication — instructions are different for these and must be given at the time of booking, not on the day.
- Fast from midnight the night before unless told otherwise. Water is allowed and encouraged.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the scan — muscle activity draws the tracer away from the area being imaged.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early. A late arrival can mean losing the slot if the tracer window has passed.
- Bring all previous scans, reports, and your referral letter.
- Plan to be at the centre for two to three hours in total, including the uptake period.
What else do families ask about PET-CT appointments?
Why did my oncologist not explain why it takes this long?
Oncologists often refer for scans without covering the logistics because the imaging centre handles the booking. If the wait is longer than you expected, it is reasonable to ask the booking team directly how long the queue is at each partner centre and whether an earlier slot exists at a different location. CION coordinates across four partner centres in Hyderabad, so an earlier slot may be available at a centre that is not the closest to you.
The scan is next week — is it safe to wait that long?
For most staging and response-assessment scans, a wait of several days to one week does not change what the scan will show. Cancer does not change fast enough in that window to affect the result. If your oncologist marked the referral urgent and the wait seems longer than they expected, call the team rather than assuming the delay is acceptable — they may be able to move you up the list.
Can I reschedule if something comes up?
You can reschedule, but the dose prepared for your original slot cannot be held for you. Give as much notice as possible — ideally more than 24 hours — so the dose can be reallocated rather than discarded. Last-minute cancellations mean the tracer is wasted, which reduces availability for other patients. If you need to cancel on the day itself, call the centre immediately rather than simply not arriving.
My blood sugar is high — will the scan still go ahead?
High blood sugar at the time of the scan reduces image quality because glucose competes with the tracer. The radiographer will check your blood sugar before the injection. If it is above the level the centre uses, they may reschedule rather than proceed with a suboptimal scan. If you have diabetes or are on steroids, tell the booking team at the time of scheduling — they can give you tailored instructions that reduce the chance of this happening on the day.
Will I be radioactive after the scan? Is it safe to be near family?
The tracer's radioactivity fades quickly because of its short half-life. By the time you leave the centre, the dose is already decaying substantially. Most centres advise a few hours of distance from young children and pregnant women as a precaution, not because the risk is significant, but because the precaution costs nothing. The scanning centre will give you specific instructions before you leave — follow them to remove any uncertainty.
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 88 more Understanding PET-CT, Cost, Booking & Records topics
Understanding PET-CT & When It Is Needed
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Normal and Cancer Still Be Present?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body?
- Do You Need a Biopsy If the PET-CT Is Positive?
- Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a PET-CT Scan?
- Does a PET-CT Scan Mean I Have Cancer?
- How Accurate Is a PET-CT Scan?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a PET-CT Appointment?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Useful for Cancer Screening in a Healthy Person?
- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
- PET-CT When the Primary Cancer Cannot Be Found
- PET-CT for Staging: Working Out How Far Cancer Has Spread
- PET-CT to Check Whether Treatment Is Working
- PET-CT to Look for Cancer Coming Back
- Questions to Ask Before Booking a PET-CT Scan
- What Can a PET-CT Scan Detect — and What It Cannot
- What Is a PET-CT Scan and How Does It Work?
- What Is a Radiotracer and Which One Will I Be Given?
- Who Should Not Have a PET-CT Scan?
- Whole-Body PET-CT vs a Limited or Regional Scan
- Why Has My Doctor Ordered a PET-CT Scan?
Booking, Access & District Logistics
- Booking Without a Doctor's Referral
- Booking a PET-CT for Someone Living Abroad
- Can You Get a PET-CT Scan Closer to Home?
- Getting an Urgent PET-CT Scan
- How Early Should You Arrive for Your Scan?
- How to Book a PET-CT Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Patients From Nalgonda and Suryapet
- PET-CT for Patients From North Andhra
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Karimnagar
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Khammam
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Nizamabad
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Warangal
- Rescheduling or Cancelling a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Miss Your PET-CT Slot?
- Where to Stay Near a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Why PET-CT Slots Are Fixed and Cannot Be Moved
Choosing a PET-CT Centre & Quality
- AERB Approval and Radiation Safety Licensing
- Comparing Two Quotes: What Is Actually Different?
- Digital PET and Time-of-Flight: What They Actually Change
- Do You Need to Go to the Same Centre for Follow-Up Scans?
- Does an Oncologist-Reviewed Report Actually Help?
- Does the PET-CT Scanner Model Matter?
- Getting a PET-CT at a Government Hospital in Telangana
- How to Choose a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Questions to Ask a PET-CT Centre Before Booking
- Red Flags When Choosing a Scan Centre
- Same-Day and Walk-In PET-CT Appointments
- Standalone Diagnostic Lab vs a Cancer Centre
- The Four PET-CT Centres in Hyderabad: Which Is Nearest?
- What Makes a PET-CT Report Good?
- What to Do If You Are Unhappy With Your Scan or Report
- Who Reads Your Scan Matters More Than the Machine
PET-CT Cost, Insurance & Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat, CGHS and EHS Coverage for PET-CT
- Cashless vs Reimbursement for a PET-CT Scan
- Comparing PET-CT Quotes: A Checklist Before You Pay
- Does a Cheaper PET-CT Mean a Worse Scan?
- EMI and Payment Options for a PET-CT Scan
- Free and Subsidised PET-CT: Government Options and Waiting Times
- Hidden Charges in PET-CT Scans: What to Check Before You Book
- Is PET-CT Covered Under Aarogyasri?
- Is PET-CT Worth the Cost Compared With a CT Scan?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Covered by Health Insurance in India?
- PET-CT Cost for Non-Cancer Conditions
- PET-CT Cost vs CT, MRI and Bone Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT Scan Cost in Hyderabad: The Full Price List
- PSMA, DOTATATE and FAPI PET-CT Costs in Hyderabad
- Paying for a PET-CT Scan From Abroad
- Planning the Cost of Your Cancer Diagnostics
- Repeat PET-CT Scans: What Each Follow-Up Costs
- Value for Money vs Deep Detect: Which PET-CT Should You Choose?
- What Does the Free Consultation With Your Scan Include?
- What Is Included in a PET-CT Scan Price — and What Is Not
- Why Do PET-CT Prices Vary So Much Between Centres?
- Why PET-CT Insurance Claims Get Rejected
Reports, Records & Second Opinions
- Comparing a New Scan With Your Previous One
- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
- Errors and Corrections in Scan Reports
- Getting a Second Opinion on Your PET-CT Report
- How to Get a Digital Copy of Your PET-CT Images
- Keeping Your Scan Records for the Long Term
- Sharing Your Scan With a Doctor Abroad
- Taking Your PET-CT Report to Another Hospital
- Understanding the Nuclear Medicine Specialist's Role
- What You Receive: Report, Images, CD and DICOM
- What to Do If the Report Says Something You Do Not Understand
- When Is a Second Opinion on a Scan Worth It?
- When Will You Get Your PET-CT Report?
- Why Two Reports on the Same Scan Can Differ
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
How many days does it take to get a PET-CT appointment in Hyderabad?
Most PET-CT appointments through CION's partner centres in Hyderabad are available within one to three working days of a referral. Urgent referrals can sometimes be seen within 24 to 48 hours. If the wait seems longer than expected, ask whether an earlier slot is available at a different centre — there are four partner centres in Hyderabad and availability varies between them and week to week.
Why can't I walk in for a PET-CT scan?
The radioactive tracer has a very short half-life and is prepared to order for a specific time slot. There is no way to hold a dose in reserve for unplanned patients, and a dose made for one person cannot be given to another. This is a technical constraint of how the tracer is produced and how quickly it decays — not a policy any centre could simply choose to change.
Can I have a PET-CT scan in the evening or on a weekend?
Some partner centres offer evening or weekend slots, but these are less common because tracer delivery logistics run on working-day schedules. When you are booking, ask specifically whether an off-hours slot is available — it is worth asking because availability changes week to week and between centres.
How long does the whole PET-CT appointment take?
Allow two to three hours in total. After the tracer injection you rest quietly for roughly 45 to 60 minutes while it distributes through your body. The scan itself takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Time at the end for the radiographer to check image quality means the full visit usually falls within that two-to-three hour window, though this can vary depending on what is being scanned.
Who reads the PET-CT report and when will I get the results?
A nuclear medicine specialist or radiologist at the imaging centre writes the report, usually within one to two working days after the scan. Your oncologist — not the scanning centre — is who discusses what the report means for your treatment. Ask your oncologist when they plan to review it with you so you have a specific date to expect rather than an open-ended wait.
Can I eat before a PET-CT scan?
No. You need to fast for several hours beforehand — usually from midnight the night before, though your booking team will give exact instructions. Fasting keeps blood sugar low so the tracer concentrates in the right tissue rather than competing with glucose from food. Water is allowed and encouraged. If you have diabetes or take blood-sugar medication, tell the team at booking so they can give you tailored instructions.