Preparing for your scan
What to Carry to — Your PET-CT Appointment
Most people remember their ID and forget their old scan discs. That is the one item most likely to change what the report says — and the one most often left behind.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Prior discs, not just reports — The disc lets the radiologist overlay old and new images. A printed report alone cannot do that.
- Insurance pre-authorisation first — Most insurers require a pre-authorisation number before the scan day. Confirm it is in place before you leave home.
- Referral letter is required — Without it, the radiologist does not know the clinical question, and insurance will not cover the scan.
- Arrive early — the tracer is time-sensitive — The radiotracer is prepared to schedule. A late start can affect whether the scan can go ahead at all.
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Bring your referral letter, all prior scan discs for this cancer, a government photo ID, and your insurance or TPA card. Prior scan discs matter most — without them, the radiologist cannot compare change over time, and that comparison is often the most important part of the report.
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 do your old scan discs matter more than anything else you bring?
The radiologist's job is not just to describe what they see — it is to say what has changed. A prior scan disc lets them overlay old and new images side by side and compare exactly. A printed report tells them what the previous radiologist concluded; the disc lets them see it themselves.
This comparison turns a description into a clinical decision. It tells your oncologist whether a lesion is responding to treatment, growing, or stable. Without it, the report is a baseline observation — accurate, but far less useful to the team managing your care.
Bring every disc for this cancer — CT, MRI, PET-CT, and ultrasound, from any centre, even if the scan was done a year or two ago. Label each disc with your name and the scan date if it is not already marked.
What should you bring on the day?
- Referral letter from your oncologist, dated and stamped
- All prior scan discs for this cancer — CT, MRI, PET-CT, ultrasound
- Printed reports for those prior scans, if you have them
- Most recent blood test reports, including kidney function and blood sugar
- Government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar, passport, or voter card
- Insurance card or TPA letter, with your pre-authorisation number written on it
- Hospital registration card from this centre, if you have been before
- Written list of all medicines you are currently taking
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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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
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What should you do before and on the day of your PET-CT?
Call the centre the day before to confirm your preparation
Ask what fasting and fluid instructions apply to you specifically. Requirements can vary — if you have diabetes or kidney concerns, your treating team should be consulted before you make any changes to eating, drinking, or medicines. Do not assume the instructions are the same as a previous scan.
Gather your documents into one labelled envelope
Collect your referral letter, prior scan discs, printed reports, blood test results, and ID. Write your name and the scan date on each disc if it is not already marked. One envelope per set of prior scans, labelled by year, helps the technologist find what they need quickly.
Confirm your insurance authorisation number is active
Contact your insurer or TPA to confirm the pre-authorisation covers the specific scan that has been ordered. Write the number down and carry it in your envelope. If authorisation is not in place when you arrive, you may be asked to pay out of pocket and claim reimbursement later.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment time
Hand all documents at the registration desk on arrival. The technologist reviews prior discs at this point — early arrival gives them time to load the images before the scan begins. The radiotracer is prepared to a schedule, and a late start can affect whether the scan can go ahead.
Rest quietly after the tracer injection
You will wait in a quiet room for about an hour after injection while the tracer distributes through your body. Stay still and limit movement — physical activity changes how the tracer appears on the scan. Your documents have already been collected; there is nothing else you need to do.
Did you know?
A PET-CT report is formally categorised as either a baseline read or a follow-up read. Without a prior scan available at the time of reporting, every report defaults to baseline — the radiologist can describe what is present but cannot say whether it is new, stable, or responding to treatment.
EANM and SNMMI reporting guidelines specifically require prior imaging to be available at the time of a follow-up PET-CT read. A report written without that comparison is considered incomplete under those guidelines.
Source: EANM/SNMMI Procedural Guidelines for Tumour Imaging with PET/CT
Book a PET-CT at CION from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation, across 4 partner centres. 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
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What if my prior scans were done at a different hospital?
You can still bring them — PET-CT and CT disc formats are generally readable across centres. Ask the other hospital for a copy of the disc; most will provide one on request, sometimes for a small administrative fee. If the disc is not available, ask whether the reports can be shared digitally and bring a printed copy. A report without the disc is better than nothing, though the disc is always the first preference.
Do I need printed reports, or is the disc enough?
The disc is what the radiologist needs to compare images, so that is the priority. Printed reports are useful backup — they record what the previous radiologist concluded, which helps if the disc is damaged or the format is unreadable on the day. Bring both if you have them. If you have to choose, the disc matters more.
What happens if I forget my referral letter?
The scan may be delayed or rescheduled. A referral letter tells the radiologist the clinical question they are answering, and it is required for insurance claims. If you realise before you set out, call your oncologist's office — they may be able to send a digital copy for the centre to accept on arrival. Do not assume the centre can proceed without one.
Does my insurance company need to pre-authorise the PET-CT?
Most insurers and TPAs require pre-authorisation for PET-CT, and arranging it is your responsibility — not the scan centre's. Contact your insurer as soon as the scan is ordered, not the day before. If authorisation is not in place when you arrive, you will typically be asked to pay out of pocket and claim reimbursement later, which takes longer and is not always guaranteed for the full amount.
Can a family member carry my documents if I am not feeling well?
Yes. A family member can present all documents at registration. Ask them to carry your photo ID alongside their own — the desk needs to confirm your identity before the scan can proceed. If there is any chance you cannot attend at all, call the centre in advance, as some PET-CT slots cannot simply be transferred and may need to be rebooked.