Caretaker guide
Getting Your Parent to — the PET-CT Scan
A PET-CT for an elderly parent is not a quick appointment. It takes two to three hours, involves a period of waiting you cannot share, and raises practical questions about transport and mobility that nobody tells you in advance. This page answers those questions.
Medically reviewed by Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Gold Medal) · DNB · DM (Medical Oncology, Gold Medal) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Plan for two to three hours — The appointment includes a rest period after the injection — it is not a quick scan and go.
- Your parent cannot drive home — The injection means they should not drive. Arrange a private car or accessible transport in advance.
- Mobility needs can be accommodated — Wheelchairs and help onto the scan table are possible — but only if you call ahead.
- You will wait separately — After the injection your parent rests alone. This is normal and expected — not a sign of a problem.
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-CT appointment for an elderly parent takes roughly two to three hours in total. After the injection, your parent rests alone for about an hour before the scan. Arrange accessible, private transport — they should not drive home. Call the imaging centre ahead of time to confirm wheelchair access and any mobility support you need.
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.
How long will the whole appointment take?
Expect to spend roughly two to three hours at the imaging centre from arrival to leaving. Plan the rest of the day around it.
After the injection, your parent rests quietly for about an hour while the tracer moves through the body. During this time they will be in a separate quiet area — you wait elsewhere, and that is normal.
The scan itself is shorter than most people expect. But getting a frail or uncomfortable person on and off a narrow table takes time. Allow more than the appointment slot when you calculate how long to be away.
How do you arrange transport for a frail parent?
Your parent should not drive to or from the scan. Book a private car, an accessible cab, or an ambulance transfer service — whichever gives them the most support getting in and out.
Confirm the booking the evening before, and plan to arrive a little early. An older person who uses a walking aid or is anxious about the appointment will need more time to reach the reception desk than you might expect.
If you are travelling a long distance, ask the imaging centre whether your parent can drink water during the journey, or whether they need to arrive with an empty stomach.
What do I need to bring to a PET-CT appointment?
- Appointment confirmationThe letter, printed message, or reference number on your phone.
- Photo IDThe centre will confirm your parent's identity before the scan.
- List of current medicinesInclude supplements and anything bought over the counter.
- Loose, comfortable clothingNo metal zips or underwire. Easy-off clothing saves time if your parent needs to change.
- Walking aid or wheelchairIf your parent uses one, bring it — do not assume the centre has one free.
- Glasses and hearing aidsYour parent will need to follow instructions from the technician throughout.
- A light snack for afterIf your parent has been fasting, something easy to eat on the way home helps.
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.
You do not have to work this out alone
A 45-minute consultation with a specialist who treats this every week.
What if your parent cannot walk easily or is in pain?
Call the imaging centre when you confirm the appointment — not on the day — and explain exactly what your parent needs. Wheelchair access, help onto the scan table, or a cushion for back pain can all be prepared in advance.
The scan table is narrow and firm. For someone with arthritis or chronic pain, lying still for the length of the scan is the hardest part. Tell the technician about specific pain before the scan starts, not afterwards.
If your parent is anxious about enclosed spaces, say so when you book. The team can explain what the machine looks and sounds like, and in some cases the approach can be adjusted.
What happens when you arrive, step by step
Check in at reception
The team confirms your parent's identity and appointment. Mention any mobility needs you have not already called ahead about.
Safety check
A team member asks about current medicines, blood sugar if your parent has diabetes, and any allergies. Answer as fully as you can.
The injection
The radiotracer is given through a small needle, usually in the arm. It is not painful beyond the needle itself.
The quiet rest period
Your parent rests alone in a calm room for roughly an hour. You wait in the main area. This is standard — the rest period lets the tracer distribute evenly for a clear scan.
The scan
Your parent lies on the table and passes slowly through the scanner. The technician watches from outside and can hear your parent throughout.
Leaving
Your parent can leave as soon as the scan is done. Ask the team when to expect results and how they will reach your parent's oncologist.
Did you know?
The radiotracer used in a PET-CT scan is mildly radioactive, but the amount used in diagnostic imaging is within guidelines considered safe by international radiology bodies and India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
Your parent is safe to be around immediately after leaving the centre. The tracer leaves the body naturally over several hours — there is no need to keep distance from other family members.
Source: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India (AERB); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology
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 62 more Family Support, Myths, Follow-Up and Emergencies topics
Caretaker & Family Guide
- A Printable PET-CT Day Checklist for Families
- After the Scan: What the Family Should Know
- Collecting and Storing the Report and Images
- Coordinating a Scan for a Parent in Another City
- Explaining a Parent's Scan to Children
- Explaining the Scan to an Anxious Patient
- Getting an Elderly Parent to and From the Scan
- Helping Someone Fast Before a PET-CT
- Managing Cost and Payment as a Family
- Preparing Questions for the Post-Scan Consultation
- The Family's Complete Guide to a PET-CT Scan Day
- What the Attendant Can and Cannot Do During the Scan
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
Follow-Up & Surveillance Scanning
- Can You Refuse a Follow-Up PET Scan?
- Follow-Up Scanning During Long-Term Treatment
- How Often Will You Need a PET-CT After Treatment?
- Is Routine Surveillance PET Actually Recommended?
- Keeping a Personal Scan Log
- Reducing Radiation Across Years of Surveillance
- Scan-Based vs Symptom-Based Follow-Up
- Surveillance Scanning by Cancer Type: A Reference Table
- The Annual Cost of Cancer Surveillance Scanning
- Transferring Surveillance to a Centre Closer to Home
- What Happens If a Surveillance Scan Shows Something?
- When Can You Stop Having Scans?
Myths & Misinformation
- Ayurvedic and Alternative Alternatives to a PET Scan
- Myth: A Normal PET Scan Means You Are Cured
- Myth: A PET Scan Can Cause Cancer
- Myth: A PET Scan Detects Every Cancer
- Myth: A PET Scan Spreads or Worsens Cancer
- Myth: A Positive PET Scan Means You Definitely Have Cancer
- Myth: A Scan From a Cheaper Centre Will Not Be Accepted
- Myth: An Expensive Scan Is Always a Better Scan
- Myth: Eating Sugar Before a Scan Will Show Up Cancer
- Myth: PET Scans Are Only for Terminal Cancer
- Myth: The Tracer Injection Is a Kind of Chemotherapy
- Myth: You Should Avoid Water After a PET Scan
- Myth: You Should Get a PET Scan Every Year to Be Safe
- Myth: You Stay Radioactive for Days After a PET Scan
Scanxiety & Emotional Impact
- Fear of What the Scan Will Find
- Getting Bad News From a Scan Report
- Getting Good News: Why Relief Is Complicated
- Living Between Scans: The Six-Month Rhythm
- Making the Most of Your Post-Scan Consultation
- Recurring Scanxiety in Long-Term Surveillance
- Scanxiety: The Fear Before and After a PET-CT
- Should You Look Up Your Results Online Before the Consult?
- Supporting Someone Through Scan Day
- Telling Family About Scan Results
- The Night Before a PET-CT Scan
- Waiting for PET-CT Results: How to Get Through It
- When a Patient Refuses to Have the Scan
- When to Seek Counselling Around Scans
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
Can I stay with my parent during the scan?
In most cases, no. During the injection rest period and the scan itself, your parent will be in areas where companions are not permitted. You can be present at check-in and help them settle before the injection. If your parent has severe anxiety or cognitive difficulties that make separation genuinely difficult, explain this to the team when you book — they will advise what adjustments may be possible.
My parent has diabetes — is fasting for the scan safe?
This is a question for your parent's treating oncologist and the imaging centre team, not something to manage on your own. PET-CT requires specific blood sugar preparation, and for someone with diabetes the instructions differ from a person without. When you confirm the appointment, ask the team to give your parent explicit guidance on managing their diabetes on the day — including whether to take morning medicines and what they can eat or drink. Do not skip this step.
Will my parent be in pain during the scan?
The injection is a small needle — brief discomfort, no more. The scan itself is not painful. The difficulty for older patients is usually lying still on a narrow, firm table, particularly with arthritis or back pain. Tell the technician about any specific pain before the scan starts. Your parent can also signal during the scan if they need a pause — let the team know your parent is aware of this before it begins.
When will we get the results and how?
Results are usually sent to your parent's oncologist rather than given to you as you leave. A radiologist prepares the report, and this takes time. Ask the imaging centre how many days to expect, and ask the oncologist how and when they will discuss the findings. If you have not heard within the expected timeframe, call the oncologist's office rather than the imaging centre.
What if my parent becomes anxious or distressed in the scanner?
Tell the team before the scan, not in the moment. If you know your parent has claustrophobia, cognitive difficulties, or strong anxiety about enclosed spaces, say so when you book and again on arrival. The technician can talk your parent through what is happening and can stop the scan if needed. If you think this will be a significant problem, raise it with the treating oncologist before the appointment day — there may be options to consider.