Preparing for Your Scan
Can You Reschedule — Your PET-CT Scan?
Yes — but a PET-CT is not like rescheduling a blood test. Your radioactive tracer is ordered specifically for you from a specialist pharmacy, prepared fresh on the morning of your scan, and cannot be kept or given to anyone else. Cancelling late almost always means the tracer is wasted, which is why the imaging centre may charge for it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Rescheduling is allowed — Call the imaging centre as early as you can and a new date can almost always be arranged.
- The tracer is the key issue — It is ordered for you by name, prepared fresh on the day, and decays within hours of preparation.
- Late notice often means a charge — Once the tracer is made, it cannot be reused — so late cancellation has a real cost attached to it.
- Same-day cancellations still need a call — If you are unwell on the day, call the centre immediately. Do not simply not show up.
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)
Yes, you can reschedule a PET-CT scan. Call the imaging centre as early as possible. The reason timing matters: your radioactive tracer is prepared fresh on the morning of your scan, is ordered only for you, and cannot be stored or reused. If you cancel late, that tracer is wasted and a cancellation charge is likely to apply.
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 is rescheduling a PET-CT different from a normal appointment?
When you are booked for a PET-CT, the imaging centre orders a radioactive tracer — usually from a specialist radiopharmacy — specifically for you, for that date and time.
The tracer is prepared fresh on the morning of your scan. It has a short radioactive half-life, which means it loses its usefulness within hours and cannot be stored, returned, or given to another patient.
This is why calling early matters so much. If the tracer has already been prepared when you cancel, there is no way to recover that cost — and the charge reflects what the centre has already paid, not a penalty.
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.
Get a straight answer from a specialist
45 minutes, your reports reviewed, your questions answered in plain language.
How to reschedule your PET-CT scan
Call the imaging centre as soon as you know
Do not wait. The earlier you call, the more likely the tracer order can be stopped before it is prepared. Ask your CION coordinator for the centre's contact number if you do not have it.
Give the reason for rescheduling
Let them know whether you are unwell, whether your blood sugar is raised, or whether something else has come up. The reason may affect which new slot is suitable for you.
Ask whether a cancellation charge applies
Ask directly at this point. Whether a charge applies depends on when you are calling relative to your scan time. Note who you spoke to and what they said.
Confirm your new date and prep instructions
Preparation requirements — fasting, fluids, activity restrictions, and any specific guidance from your treating team — apply to the new date too. Confirm them when you rebook rather than assuming they are unchanged.
Tell your oncologist or CION team the scan has moved
A delayed scan can affect your treatment timeline. Your team needs to know so they can plan around the new date.
Will you be charged if you cancel or reschedule at short notice?
This depends on when you cancel relative to when the tracer is prepared, and on the individual imaging centre's policy. The earlier you call, the less likely a charge is.
Once the tracer has been made, a charge is likely — not as a penalty, but because the centre has already paid for a preparation that cannot be recovered or reused.
If you receive a charge you were not expecting, ask the centre to explain when the tracer was ordered and what their cancellation policy covers. If you are a CION patient, your coordinator may be able to help you understand the situation.
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 92 more Preparing For and Having Your Scan Safely topics
Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
- Can I Drink Water Before a PET-CT Scan?
- 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
Contrast, Cannula & Procedure Safety
- Can You Have a PET-CT If You Are on Blood Thinners?
- Can You Have a PET-CT Through a Port or PICC Line?
- Contrast Allergy and PET-CT: What to Declare
- Contrast Reaction Symptoms: What to Watch For
- Contrast and Kidney Function: The Creatinine Rule
- Infection Risk and Hygiene at a Scan Centre
- Is Contrast Used in a PET-CT Scan?
- Metformin and Contrast: What Is the Rule?
- Side Effects of a PET-CT Scan
- The Cannula: Bruising, Pain and Difficult Veins
- Tracer Leakage at the Injection Site (Extravasation)
- What If You Feel Unwell During the Scan?
Diabetes & Blood Sugar for PET-CT
- A Diabetic Patient's PET-CT Day Plan
- Best Appointment Time for a Diabetic PET Scan
- Can Diabetics Take Their Tablets Before a PET Scan?
- Does Diabetes Change Your SUV Reading?
- Fasting Safely With Diabetes Before a Scan
- Insulin and PET-CT: Timing Rules
- Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Found Before a Scan
- PET-CT Scan With Diabetes: The Complete Preparation Guide
- PET-CT With Steroid-Induced High Sugars
- What Blood Sugar Level Is Needed for a PET-CT Scan?
- What Happens If Your Sugar Is High on the Day?
- What to Eat the Day Before if You Have Diabetes
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
Scan Day: What Actually Happens
- Can Someone Stay With Me During the Scan?
- Can You Drive Yourself Home After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can You Have Sedation for a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Done on the Same Day as Other Tests?
- Contrast in a PET-CT Scan: When It Is Used and Why
- Eating and Drinking After Your PET-CT Scan
- How Long Does a PET-CT Scan Take?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Painful?
- Is a PET-CT Scanner Closed Like an MRI? Claustrophobia Explained
- The Tracer Injection: Does It Hurt?
- What Happens If the Scan Cannot Be Completed?
- What If You Cannot Lie Still or Have Tremors?
- What to Expect Immediately After the Scan
- Why Was My Scan Repeated or Extended on the Day?
- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
- Your PET-CT Scan Day: What Happens, Step by Step
Special Populations
- Breastfeeding and PET-CT: How Long to Pause
- PET-CT Scans for Children: A Parent's Guide
- PET-CT With Kidney Disease or on Dialysis
- PET-CT With a Pacemaker, Stent or Metal Implant
- PET-CT for Claustrophobic Patients
- PET-CT for Patients Who Cannot Lie Flat
- PET-CT for Patients With Anxiety or Panic Disorder
- PET-CT for Patients With Dementia or Confusion
- PET-CT for Patients With Incontinence or a Catheter
- PET-CT for Patients With a Stoma
- PET-CT for Patients on Long-Term Steroids
- PET-CT for Very Elderly or Frail Patients
- PET-CT for Very Heavy Patients: Weight and Bore Limits
- PET-CT for Wheelchair and Bedbound Patients
- PET-CT in Pregnancy: Why It Is Avoided
- Sedation and Fasting for a Child's PET 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
How much notice do I need to give to avoid a cancellation charge?
There is no single answer because it depends on the imaging centre and on when they order your tracer. The safest approach is to call the moment you know you cannot make the appointment — even if that is only an hour before. Ask the centre what their policy is when you first book, so you have the answer before you need it rather than after.
What if I am too unwell to attend on the day of my scan?
Call the imaging centre as soon as you know, even if it is first thing in the morning. Explain that you are unwell. They may be able to pause the tracer preparation if it has not yet started. Do not simply not attend — a missed appointment without notice is treated the same as a same-day cancellation by most centres. Your CION coordinator can help you rebook once you are well enough.
Is the tracer definitely wasted if I cancel on the day?
In most cases, yes. The tracer is made to order for your specific scan time. If it has already been prepared, it cannot be given to someone else or stored for another day — it decays to the point of being unusable within hours. This is why same-day cancellations almost always result in a wasted dose and a charge from the imaging centre, regardless of the reason.
My blood sugar is high this morning. Should I still go for the scan?
Call your treating team or the imaging centre before you leave. Raised blood sugar affects how the tracer behaves in the body and can reduce the quality of the images significantly. Whether to proceed, postpone, or take any action is a clinical decision — do not make it on your own, and do not take any medication to lower your blood sugar without being told to do so by your doctor.
Can I reschedule more than once?
There is no rule against rescheduling more than once, but repeated changes affect your treatment timeline and may result in repeated charges if notice is short each time. If you have a recurring reason — such as a condition affecting your ability to fast, or difficulty with transport — tell your CION coordinator. They may be able to arrange a slot that suits your situation from the outset.