Reports and imaging records
Your PET-CT Gives You Three Things: — Report, CD and DICOM Images
Most people leave a PET-CT centre carrying a report without knowing that the images on the CD matter just as much. Any specialist you see in the future — including for a second opinion — will want both, not just the written report.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- A written report — The radiologist's interpretation in words — findings, measurements, and overall impression.
- A CD with DICOM files — The actual scan data in a format any hospital or specialist software can open and measure from.
- Sometimes a printed image sheet — Selected frames printed on paper — useful context, but not a substitute for the CD.
- Keep all of it, permanently — These are lifelong medical records. Future consultations, second opinions, and comparison scans all depend on them.
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After a PET-CT you receive a written radiology report, a CD containing your DICOM image files, and sometimes a printed image sheet. All three are yours to keep. Any future oncologist or second-opinion specialist will ask for the images as well as the report — the images are the original record, not just a summary of it.
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
How do you collect and check what you receive?
Confirm what you will receive before you leave
Ask the imaging centre whether you will receive a written report, a CD with DICOM image files, or both. Ask when the report will be ready if it is not issued on the same day as your scan.
Collect the written report
The report is the radiologist's written interpretation, addressed to your referring oncologist. You are entitled to a copy for yourself. Ask for one if it is not offered automatically.
Collect the CD with your DICOM images
The CD holds the raw image data from your scan in DICOM format. This is not a photograph or a video — it is a set of medical data files that any specialist software can open and make accurate measurements from.
Test the CD before you leave the centre
Ask a staff member to open the CD on a centre computer and confirm the files load correctly. A disc that cannot be read is not useful, and it is far easier to replace at the centre than after you have gone home.
Store both safely and make a backup of the digital files
Keep the originals in a dry, cool place and tell a family member where they are. Copy the DICOM files to a USB drive or upload them to secure cloud storage as a backup — CDs degrade over time.
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 does each item contain, and should you keep it?
| Item | What it contains | Who asks for it | Keep it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written report | The radiologist's interpretation — findings, measurements, overall impression | Your oncologist at every visit; any new specialist you consult | Yes, permanently |
| CD with DICOM files | Complete scan data in a format any hospital software can open and measure | Any specialist doing a review or comparison; second-opinion centres | Yes, permanently — this is the original |
| Printed image sheet | Selected frames printed on paper or film at lower resolution than the CD | Useful for quick reference; not a substitute for the CD | Keep it, but the CD is the priority |
| CD viewer software | Sometimes included on the disc — lets you open the images on a home computer | Not needed by specialists, but useful for understanding what you received | Keep it with the CD |
Why do the images matter as much as the written report?
The written report summarises what the radiologist saw. The DICOM images are what the radiologist saw — the original data, not a description of it.
When a new oncologist, a second-opinion specialist, or a tumour board reviews your case, they will load your DICOM files directly into specialist software and assess them independently. The report tells them what the original radiologist concluded. The images let them look for themselves.
This matters most when something changes. If you have a second scan months later, the comparison is made against your original images, not against the words in the report. Without the CD, that comparison has to be estimated rather than measured.
Treat the CD as the primary document and the written report as its summary.
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
- 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
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
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Choosing a PET-CT Centre & Quality
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- 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
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?
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- PET-CT Scan Terminology: A Plain-English Glossary
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- 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?
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is DICOM and why is it a special format?
DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. It is the international standard format used by PET, CT, MRI and X-ray systems. Unlike a JPEG or PDF, a DICOM file contains not just the image but also embedded data about the scan — the date, the machine settings, your identifying details, and the image dimensions in real-world units. This is what allows a radiologist to take accurate measurements directly from the file, rather than estimating from a printed picture. Any specialist hospital in India or abroad can open DICOM files using standard software.
What if my CD is damaged or I have lost it?
Contact the imaging centre where the scan was done. Most centres store the original image data for a period of time and can reissue a CD, though there may be a fee and a waiting period. There is no guarantee that older studies are still held, which is why making a backup copy soon after you receive the disc is important. Copy the DICOM files to a USB drive or upload them to a secure cloud service as a second copy. Do not rely on the CD alone as your only copy.
Can I receive my images digitally instead of on a CD?
Some imaging centres can transfer DICOM files via a secure link or upload them to a digital health platform rather than providing a disc. It is worth asking when you book your scan. If a digital transfer is available, confirm with your oncologist or the specialist you are seeing next that they can accept files in that form. The format itself does not change — DICOM files are DICOM files whether they arrive on a disc or through a secure download link.
Should I give my original CD to a new doctor, or can I keep it?
Keep the original. Ask the imaging centre to issue a second copy for the new doctor, or arrange for a copy to be made. Most specialists are accustomed to working from copies. If a hospital or specialist asks to retain your original — which does happen — ask them to make you a copy before they do. You may need to refer back to the same images again for a second opinion, a later comparison scan, or your own records, and replacing an original is not always straightforward or quick.
How long should I keep my PET-CT report and images?
Keep them permanently. There is no point at which these documents become safe to discard. Cancer treatment routinely involves comparing scans taken months or years apart, and a second opinion requested much later will rely on the same original images. The report and the CD take very little space to store. If you are managing documents for a parent or family member, keep a clear note of where everything is kept and make a backup of the digital files onto a second storage device.