Radiation safety in pregnancy
Pregnant After a PET Scan: — What to Do Right Now
Finding out you were pregnant at the time of a PET scan is frightening. The fetal dose from a routine scan is almost always far below the level that international guidelines link to harm — but both your care teams need to know today, and the scan report is what makes an accurate assessment possible.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Tell both teams today — Your oncologist and your obstetrician both need to know, and they need to speak to each other.
- The scan report is what matters — The dose actually delivered to the fetus — not the fact that a scan happened — is what your teams will assess.
- Most diagnostic doses are far below harmful levels — ICRP and ACOG guidance places the concern threshold well above the dose from a routine PET scan.
- Do not stop cancer treatment on your own — Any change to your cancer treatment is a decision your oncology team makes with you — not one to make alone.
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 PET scan during pregnancy is frightening to discover, but the radiation dose delivered to the fetus from a routine scan is almost always far below the level that international guidelines link to measurable harm. Tell your oncologist and your obstetrician today. Bring the scan report so the actual dose can be calculated and your risk properly assessed.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.
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.
Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
How urgent is your situation?
| Situation | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| Vaginal bleeding or severe abdominal pain | Go to the maternity emergency department — show them the scan report | Now |
| No symptoms, scan was in the first trimester | Call your oncologist today — first-trimester timing is the most important detail for risk assessment | Today |
| No symptoms, scan was later in pregnancy | Call your oncologist today — later scans still need review | Today |
| You have told one team but not the other | Contact the second team — both need to know and to speak to each other | Today |
| You cannot reach your oncology team today | Go to the nearest maternity unit and show the scan report | Today |
What will your teams actually do when you tell them?
Your oncologist will request the scan report and calculate the radiation dose actually delivered to the fetus. The dose is what matters, not simply the fact that a scan happened.
Your obstetrician will review your gestational age at the time of the scan alongside that dose. They will advise whether any change to your monitoring is needed.
In the large majority of cases, the fetal dose from a routine PET scan falls well below the level that ICRP and ACOG guidance links to increased risk. Your teams will tell you clearly where your dose sits, and what — if anything — follows from that.
Do not change or stop your cancer treatment without your oncologist's guidance. Treatment decisions in pregnancy are made together, weighing both you and the pregnancy. That conversation starts today.
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 10 more Family Support, Myths, Follow-Up and Emergencies topics
Emergencies & Red Flags
- Accidental Radiation Exposure: Pregnancy Discovered After a Scan
- Breathing Difficulty During or After a Scan
- Delayed Contrast Reaction Hours After the Scan
- Emergencies Around a PET-CT Scan: What Needs Immediate Care
- Fainting or Collapse at the Scan Centre
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia) During Fasting
- Panic Attack During the Scan
- Severe Contrast Reaction: Recognising It
- What to Do If the Cannula Site Swells or Hurts After
- When to Call the Centre After Your Scan
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
Is my baby definitely going to be harmed by the PET scan?
Almost certainly not — and that is grounded in established clinical guidance, not reassurance for its own sake. ICRP and ACOG guidelines place the dose threshold for increased risk of fetal harm well above what a routine PET scan delivers. That said, your actual dose depends on the specific scan, the machine, and how far along you were at the time. Your oncologist can calculate your individual fetal dose from the scan report. That number — not a general reassurance — is what you deserve to know.
Should I stop my cancer treatment now because of the pregnancy?
No, not on your own. Stopping cancer treatment without guidance can cause serious harm. This is one of the most important decisions your oncology team will make with you, weighing the risks of continuing treatment against the risks of stopping or delaying it for your specific cancer and your pregnancy together. Your team needs to know about the pregnancy today — and that conversation, not a unilateral decision, is what comes next.
Do I tell my oncologist first, or my obstetrician?
Tell your oncologist first if you can, because they have the scan report and can calculate the actual fetal dose. Your obstetrician then needs that number to advise you on monitoring. Ideally both teams speak to each other directly. If your oncology team is unreachable today, go to your maternity unit and bring the scan report — they can initiate that communication from there.
What if the pregnancy was very early and I did not know yet?
Early pregnancy — before eight weeks — is the period when the developing embryo is most sensitive to radiation, which makes it the most important detail to give your team. It does not mean harm has occurred. The dose from the scan still determines the risk, and that dose is almost always below the level ICRP identifies as a concern. Tell your oncologist today and give them the date of your scan and the date of your last period so they can calculate your gestational age at the time of exposure.