Follow-up imaging
Follow-Up PET-CT Scans: — Does the Centre Matter?
Staying at the same centre for each follow-up scan makes comparison easier for your oncologist. Switching is possible — but only if you do a few things first.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Same centre is simpler — The scanner stays consistent, so your team can compare numbers from scan to scan without accounting for machine differences.
- Switching is possible — If you need to change centres for any reason, with the right preparation the comparison can still be made.
- The image file matters more than the report — A DICOM copy of your previous scan — not just the written report — is what lets a new radiologist compare directly.
- Tell your team before you switch — Your oncologist needs to know in advance so that prior scans can be available at the time your new scan is reported.
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Staying at the same centre for follow-up PET-CT scans makes comparison more straightforward, because the scanner settings and calibration remain consistent. Your oncologist can then judge whether a change in the scan is real or a measurement difference. Switching is possible, but you need to carry your previous scan images with you.
A whole-body PET-CT at CION costs from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Does it matter if you use a different PET-CT centre each time?
| Factor | Same centre | Different centre |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner settings | Consistent scan to scan | May differ — direct number comparison is less reliable |
| Access to your prior images | Already in the system | You need to bring a DICOM copy yourself |
| Radiologist's ability to compare visually | Can view your previous scans side by side | Works from your written report unless you bring images |
| Report reaching your oncologist | Usually the same pathway | You or your team need to arrange the transfer |
| Appointment flexibility | Limited to one centre's schedule | More options across locations and dates |
What do you need to do before switching to a different PET-CT centre?
- Ask your current centre for a DICOM copy of your scan — this is the full image file, not a printed film or a PDF report.
- Let your oncologist know before the scan, not after, so they can ensure the new centre has your prior images in time.
- Tell the new centre the date of your last scan and which centre performed it, so they know what comparison to look for.
- Mention any treatment changes since your last scan when you register at the new centre.
- Confirm your oncologist has received the new centre's report before your next consultation.
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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When does it genuinely matter which centre you use?
It matters most when the clinical question is a borderline one. If your team is deciding whether a small change from your last scan is a real response to treatment or a measurement variation, a like-for-like comparison at the same centre is more reliable than comparing across two different machines.
When the result is clearly different — a substantial response or obvious progression — your oncologist can usually reach that conclusion from any good scan, regardless of where it was done.
If practical reasons mean you need to switch — you have moved, or appointments are not available — switching is the right choice. The preparation that matters is bringing your previous scan in DICOM format and telling your care team in advance.
CION coordinates PET-CT through four partner imaging centres. If you need to move between them, your care coordinator can help ensure your previous scans are shared with the new centre before your appointment.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — across 4 partner centres in Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Himayatnagar and Narayanaguda. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 88 more Understanding PET-CT, Cost, Booking & Records topics
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Reports, Records & Second Opinions
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- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
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- Getting a Second Opinion on Your PET-CT Report
- How to Get a Digital Copy of Your PET-CT Images
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- 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
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Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the type of PET-CT scanner used change my results?
Different scanner models can produce slightly different numbers for the same tumour, even when imaging protocols are standardised. This is usually a small difference, but when your team is looking for a subtle change from your last scan, it can matter. Staying at the same centre removes one source of variation. If you need to switch, the radiologist will note it in their report and your oncologist will interpret the result with that in mind.
What is a DICOM file and how do I get one?
DICOM is the format that stores the full scan image data — the actual pictures, not just the written report. Most centres will give you a copy on a USB stick or CD when you ask, usually within a day or two of your scan. Some centres now send them digitally. Ask for it by name: 'I need a DICOM copy of my scan.' Keep it somewhere safe and bring it to any new centre you visit.
Can I use a different centre if I have moved or if appointments are full?
Yes. Switching for practical reasons is common and acceptable. The steps that matter are: get a DICOM copy of your previous scan, let your oncologist know before the appointment, and tell the new centre when you arrive. Your oncologist will read the new report knowing it came from a different machine and will factor that into their interpretation.
Will my oncologist know if I switch without telling them?
They may not know immediately, which is part of why telling them matters. If your oncologist sees a number that looks different from last time, they need to know whether the disease has changed or the scanner has changed. If they do not know you switched, they may investigate a difference that is actually a calibration gap rather than a real change in your condition. A brief message to your care team before the scan avoids that unnecessary uncertainty.
Does CION own the PET-CT centres?
No. CION coordinates PET-CT scans through four partner imaging centres. These are separate facilities that CION works with to ensure your scans fit into your treatment pathway and your results reach your oncologist promptly. If you have a question about which partner centre your scan has been booked at, your CION care coordinator can tell you.
My previous scans were done at a different hospital. Does that make comparison impossible?
It does not make comparison impossible. If your previous scans were done elsewhere — before you came to CION or at a different hospital — bring a DICOM copy to your appointment. The radiologist will compare where they can, and your oncologist will note the different baseline. A DICOM copy of the images is more useful than a printed film or a PDF of the written report alone.