Getting to Your Scan
How Early to Arrive — for Your PET-CT Scan
A PET-CT appointment is not like most hospital visits. Preparation begins well before you enter the scanner, and arriving late — even by a short time — can mean losing your slot for the day.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Arrive early, not on time — The scan starts with preparation steps that cannot be shortened. Your appointment time is when prep begins, not when you walk into the scanning room.
- The tracer window is fixed — You receive a radioactive tracer injection and then rest while it travels through your body. That rest period cannot be skipped or cut short.
- Fast before you come — You will be asked to fast before your appointment. Your blood glucose is checked on arrival and must be within range for the scan to go ahead.
- Late arrival means a new date — Unlike most appointments, missed preparation time cannot be added back. Late arrival almost always means rebooking, not a delayed start.
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For PET-CT, plan to arrive well before your scheduled scan time. The scan begins with a tracer injection, followed by a rest period while the tracer travels through your body. If you miss the injection window, your slot cannot be moved to later in the day — the scan must be rescheduled.
At CION, a whole-body PET-CT starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Why does a PET-CT scan need so much time before you reach the scanner?
The answer is the tracer. A PET-CT scan uses a radioactive compound injected into a vein. It must travel through your body and be taken up by cells before the scanner can detect anything. That uptake time is fixed — it cannot be hurried.
If you arrive after the injection should have started, the tracer cannot be given in time. The scan cannot go ahead.
This is what makes PET-CT different from a routine blood test or a standard CT scan. The time in your booking letter is when preparation begins, not when you lie down in the scanner.
What should you bring to your PET-CT appointment?
- Referral letter or doctor's prescription for the scan
- All previous scan reports and films — especially any prior PET-CT, CT or MRI
- A full list of your current medicines, including supplements and herbal remedies
- Government-issued photo ID
- Loose, comfortable clothing — avoid metal zips, underwire and clasps
- Leave jewellery at home — most metal cannot be taken into the scan room
- Water bottle — you will be encouraged to drink after the scan
- A travel companion for the return journey if you have come a long distance or are feeling unwell
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 happens when you walk into the imaging centre?
First, registration. Your referral and ID are checked. If any document is missing, it can delay the start — bring everything on the checklist above.
A technologist then checks your blood glucose. For the most common type of PET-CT, your glucose must fall within a specific range. If it is too high, the tracer is not taken up correctly and the images become unreliable. A result outside range means the scan may need to be postponed.
Once glucose is confirmed, the tracer is injected. You then rest quietly in a reclining chair. Moving around or using your phone is usually restricted — activity changes how the tracer distributes through the body.
After the rest period, you are called into the scanner. The actual scanning portion of the visit is typically the shortest part of the whole appointment.
What changes if you arrive late?
| Arriving with enough time | Arriving late | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracer injection | Given on schedule, full uptake begins | Window missed — cannot go ahead that day |
| Blood glucose check | Done calmly before injection | Rushed or no time to recheck a borderline result |
| Uptake rest period | Full and uninterrupted — images are accurate | Cannot be shortened without affecting image quality |
| Your scan that day | Runs to time | Usually cancelled — slot cannot shift to later |
| Next available date | Not needed | New booking required — could be days or weeks away |
| Long-distance travel | Worth every hour of the journey | May need to be repeated in full |
Did you know?
The radioactive tracer used in most oncology PET-CT scans has a very short useful life — measured in hours rather than days. Imaging centres receive it on a tightly scheduled delivery.
This is one reason a late arrival cannot simply be slotted in later. By the time a second dose could be sourced, the day's appointment window has already closed.
Source: Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) practice guidelines
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
Booking, Access & District Logistics
- Booking Without a Doctor's Referral
- Booking a PET-CT for Someone Living Abroad
- Can You Get a PET-CT Scan Closer to Home?
- Getting an Urgent PET-CT Scan
- How Early Should You Arrive for Your Scan?
- How to Book a PET-CT Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT for Patients From Nalgonda and Suryapet
- PET-CT for Patients From North Andhra
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Karimnagar
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Khammam
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Nizamabad
- PET-CT for Patients Travelling From Warangal
- Rescheduling or Cancelling a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Miss Your PET-CT Slot?
- Where to Stay Near a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Why PET-CT Slots Are Fixed and Cannot Be Moved
Choosing a PET-CT Centre & Quality
- AERB Approval and Radiation Safety Licensing
- Comparing Two Quotes: What Is Actually Different?
- Digital PET and Time-of-Flight: What They Actually Change
- Do You Need to Go to the Same Centre for Follow-Up Scans?
- Does an Oncologist-Reviewed Report Actually Help?
- Does the PET-CT Scanner Model Matter?
- Getting a PET-CT at a Government Hospital in Telangana
- How to Choose a PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad
- Questions to Ask a PET-CT Centre Before Booking
- Red Flags When Choosing a Scan Centre
- Same-Day and Walk-In PET-CT Appointments
- Standalone Diagnostic Lab vs a Cancer Centre
- The Four PET-CT Centres in Hyderabad: Which Is Nearest?
- What Makes a PET-CT Report Good?
- What to Do If You Are Unhappy With Your Scan or Report
- Who Reads Your Scan Matters More Than the Machine
PET-CT Cost, Insurance & Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat, CGHS and EHS Coverage for PET-CT
- Cashless vs Reimbursement for a PET-CT Scan
- Comparing PET-CT Quotes: A Checklist Before You Pay
- Does a Cheaper PET-CT Mean a Worse Scan?
- EMI and Payment Options for a PET-CT Scan
- Free and Subsidised PET-CT: Government Options and Waiting Times
- Hidden Charges in PET-CT Scans: What to Check Before You Book
- Is PET-CT Covered Under Aarogyasri?
- Is PET-CT Worth the Cost Compared With a CT Scan?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Covered by Health Insurance in India?
- PET-CT Cost for Non-Cancer Conditions
- PET-CT Cost vs CT, MRI and Bone Scan in Hyderabad
- PET-CT Scan Cost in Hyderabad: The Full Price List
- PSMA, DOTATATE and FAPI PET-CT Costs in Hyderabad
- Paying for a PET-CT Scan From Abroad
- Planning the Cost of Your Cancer Diagnostics
- Repeat PET-CT Scans: What Each Follow-Up Costs
- Value for Money vs Deep Detect: Which PET-CT Should You Choose?
- What Does the Free Consultation With Your Scan Include?
- What Is Included in a PET-CT Scan Price — and What Is Not
- Why Do PET-CT Prices Vary So Much Between Centres?
- Why PET-CT Insurance Claims Get Rejected
Reports, Records & Second Opinions
- Comparing a New Scan With Your Previous One
- Do You Need a Repeat Scan or Just a Re-Read?
- Errors and Corrections in Scan Reports
- Getting a Second Opinion on Your PET-CT Report
- 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?
- When Will You Get Your PET-CT Report?
- Why Two Reports on the Same Scan Can Differ
Understanding PET-CT & When It Is Needed
- Can a PET-CT Scan Be Normal and Cancer Still Be Present?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body?
- Do You Need a Biopsy If the PET-CT Is Positive?
- Do You Need a Doctor's Referral for a PET-CT Scan?
- Does a PET-CT Scan Mean I Have Cancer?
- How Accurate Is a PET-CT Scan?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a PET-CT Appointment?
- Is a PET-CT Scan Useful for Cancer Screening in a Healthy Person?
- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
- PET-CT When the Primary Cancer Cannot Be Found
- PET-CT for Staging: Working Out How Far Cancer Has Spread
- PET-CT to Check Whether Treatment Is Working
- PET-CT to Look for Cancer Coming Back
- Questions to Ask Before Booking a PET-CT Scan
- What Can a PET-CT Scan Detect — and What It Cannot
- What Is a PET-CT Scan and How Does It Work?
- What Is a Radiotracer and Which One Will I Be Given?
- Who Should Not Have a PET-CT Scan?
- Whole-Body PET-CT vs a Limited or Regional Scan
- Why Has My Doctor Ordered a PET-CT Scan?
Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Exactly how many minutes before should I arrive for a PET-CT?
Your booking confirmation or the centre's pre-appointment call will give you the exact reporting time, and that instruction takes priority over any general figure. As a principle, the preparation steps for a PET-CT take considerably longer than for most scans, so the gap between your reporting time and your scan time will be meaningful — not a few minutes. If your letter does not state a separate reporting time, call the centre and ask before the day of your appointment.
We are travelling from another district. What if we get delayed on the road?
Call the centre as soon as you know you may be running late — do not wait until you arrive. Some centres can hold a slot briefly if they are given advance notice, but this cannot be guaranteed. If you realise before leaving home that you cannot reach on time, it is better to call and rebook than to arrive after the preparation window has closed. When you book, ask how much buffer the centre can accommodate and plan your journey with extra time, especially if road conditions between your district and the centre are unpredictable.
What if my blood glucose is too high when I arrive?
The team will advise you at that point. If the reading is only slightly outside the required range, they may wait and recheck after a short time. If it is significantly elevated, the scan will usually need to be rescheduled. High glucose competes with the tracer for uptake and makes the images unreliable — proceeding in that situation would give results the oncologist cannot trust. Following the fasting instructions precisely before you arrive is the most effective way to prevent this.
Can I eat or drink anything before the scan?
You will be told to fast for a specified period before your appointment and to avoid sugary drinks and strenuous exercise on the day. Drinking plain water is generally allowed and encouraged. The exact instructions will be confirmed when you book and repeated by the centre before your visit. Follow them as given. If you are unsure about a specific food or medicine, call the centre and ask — some medicines can also affect glucose levels and it is always safer to check.
Is the scan painful, and how long does the whole visit take?
The scan itself is not painful. The tracer is given as a small injection similar to a blood test. The rest period that follows is quiet and still. The scanner is an open ring that you pass through on a moving bed — it is not enclosed like an MRI, so it is less likely to feel confining. The full visit, from arrival to leaving, takes considerably longer than the scan alone because of the preparation steps. Ask the centre when you book for a realistic estimate of how long to set aside for the day.
Can I come alone, or do I need someone with me?
You can attend the scan alone. However, if you have travelled a long distance, feel unwell, or your treatment is making you tired or unsteady, having someone with you for the journey home is sensible. If you need sedation for any reason, the centre will require someone to accompany you back. Check with the centre at the time of booking whether your specific situation means an escort is needed — it is better to arrange this in advance than to find out on the day.