International second opinions
Sharing Your PET Scan — With a Doctor Abroad
When a family member abroad wants to look at the scan results, the first question is always the same: what exactly do they need from you, and how do you get it to them safely?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Two files, not one — An overseas doctor needs the raw image files (DICOM) and the written report — not a photo of the screen.
- The imaging centre holds the images — Your DICOM files are stored at the centre where the scan was done, not at the oncology clinic.
- Your oncologist writes the summary — The overseas doctor needs a letter explaining the clinical question — your treating oncologist provides this.
- Secure transfer matters — Medical images contain personal information. Use a secure link, not WhatsApp or an unencrypted email attachment.
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An overseas doctor needs two things: the raw DICOM image files from the imaging centre, and the written radiology report as a PDF. Most institutions also ask for a clinical summary from your oncologist explaining the question being asked. Send all three together through a secure file-sharing link, not as email attachments or WhatsApp photos.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What format does a doctor abroad need?
Overseas radiologists and oncologists work from DICOM files — the raw image data, not a printed film or a photograph of the screen. A phone photo shows nothing a specialist can use.
DICOM files are stored at the imaging centre where your scan was done. For PET-CT scans coordinated through CION, that means contacting the partner imaging facility directly. Ask them specifically for the DICOM files, either on a CD or as a download link.
Alongside the images, the overseas doctor also needs the written radiology report — the PDF document the reporting radiologist produced. That is a separate file, and some centres have to be asked for it explicitly rather than offering it automatically.
How do you prepare and send the full package?
Contact the imaging centre
Call or visit the centre where the PET-CT was done. Ask for the DICOM files. They may offer a CD, a USB drive, or a download link. Confirm the format before you leave or hang up.
Collect the written radiology report
This is the PDF document, not the images. If you received it at the time of the scan, locate that file. If not, request it from the imaging centre — some email it, others require you to collect it in person.
Ask your oncologist for a clinical summary letter
This letter states the diagnosis, the stage, what treatment has been given so far, and the specific question you are putting to the overseas doctor. Your oncologist at CION writes this. Give them a few days' notice.
Gather supporting documents
Add the biopsy or pathology report, DICOM files from any prior scans for comparison, and recent blood test results. The more complete the picture, the more specific the overseas opinion can be.
Transfer the files securely
Use the overseas hospital's patient-portal upload if they have one. Otherwise, a password-protected or expiring link from Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer works well. Do not send DICOM files as email attachments — they are large and often corrupt in transit.
Confirm receipt
Follow up with a short message asking the overseas team to confirm all files arrived and are readable. DICOM files occasionally become corrupted. Better to know before the review has been scheduled.
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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What else should you send along?
The overseas doctor is forming an opinion without meeting the patient. The more context you give them, the more specific and useful their response will be.
If a biopsy was done, include that pathology report. If you have DICOM files from scans done before treatment started, include those too — being able to compare images over time is often what makes the opinion clinically meaningful.
If any reports are in Telugu or another regional language, ask your oncologist to add a brief English summary of the key findings to the clinical letter. Most overseas centres work in English, and a report they cannot read cannot inform their review.
A short plain-language note — who the patient is, what has been treated, and the specific question you are asking — takes five minutes and helps the overseas doctor orient immediately.
Which documents are essential and which help?
| Document | Why the overseas doctor needs it | Essential or helpful |
|---|---|---|
| DICOM image files | Raw scan data they can load and scroll through themselves — a photograph or printout cannot substitute for this | Essential |
| Written radiology report (PDF) | The reporting radiologist's interpretation of the scan | Essential |
| Clinical summary or referral letter | States the diagnosis, treatment history, and the specific question being asked | Essential |
| Biopsy or pathology report | Confirms what tissue analysis showed — needed to interpret the scan findings in context | Essential if a biopsy was done |
| Prior scan DICOM files | Shows whether the disease has changed over time — often the most informative element of the package | Strongly recommended |
| Recent blood test results | Provides clinical context about overall health and relevant tumour markers | Helpful |
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
Reports, Records & Second Opinions
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- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
- Errors and Corrections in Scan Reports
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- 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?
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- How to Book a PET-CT Scan in Hyderabad
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- Cashless vs Reimbursement for a PET-CT Scan
- Comparing PET-CT Quotes: A Checklist Before You Pay
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- Can a PET-CT Scan Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body?
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- Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a PET-CT Scan?
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Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Will a CD work, or do they need a download link?
A CD with the DICOM files on it works if you can post it — but posting internationally is slow, and CDs can become unreadable in transit. Most overseas centres now prefer a download link from a secure file-sharing service. When you contact the overseas team, ask what they prefer before sending anything. If they use a patient portal, upload directly to that — it is the most reliable method and keeps the files in one place.
Can I just send a photo of the scan images from my phone?
No. A phone photograph of a PET-CT screen is not usable for a medical review. The overseas radiologist needs the actual DICOM files, which contain the full resolution data and the ability to scroll through every slice of the scan. A photograph captures only what is visible on screen at that moment, at reduced quality, and gives the reviewer no ability to interact with the data. Ask the imaging centre for the DICOM files directly — this is a standard request they handle regularly.
What if the reports are in Telugu or another regional language?
Ask your oncologist to include a brief English summary of the key findings within the clinical letter. You do not need to translate the full report — a summary of the main findings, the stage, and what has been treated is usually enough for the overseas doctor to work from. Send the original report alongside it in case a translator is available at their end. Do not use an online machine translator for medical reports — the terminology can change meaning significantly.
How do I send the files securely?
Use the overseas hospital's patient-portal upload if they provide one — that is the most secure and trackable option. Otherwise, a password-protected or expiring link from Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer is acceptable practice. Set the link to expire after a few days if the service allows it. Avoid unencrypted email attachments and avoid WhatsApp — it compresses image files and is not designed for medical records transfer. Never place sensitive documents in a public or broadly shared folder.
How much history should I send?
Send the full picture rather than editing down to what seems important. Include scans from before treatment started if you have them, the biopsy report, the treatment summary, and recent results. The overseas doctor will decide what is relevant to the question. Sending too much rarely causes a problem; sending too little may mean they come back with requests for more documents, which adds delay. If the file volume is very large, ask the overseas team in advance whether they would like you to prioritise certain documents.