Neuroendocrine tumour imaging
When Is a DOTANOC PET Scan — Ordered for You?
DOTANOC PET-CT is a specialised scan for a specific group of rare tumours — mainly neuroendocrine tumours, phaeochromocytoma, and paraganglioma. It is not ordered for most cancers. If your specialist has referred you for one, it means your diagnosis fits the narrow group this scan is designed for.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Not for most cancers — DOTANOC targets tumours with somatostatin receptors — a surface protein found mainly in neuroendocrine tumours, phaeochromocytoma, and paraganglioma.
- Used at several stages — Your team may order it at initial staging, before surgery, before a targeted treatment called PRRT, or during follow-up.
- Ordered by a specialist — Your endocrinologist, oncologist, or surgeon refers you for this scan — not your general physician.
- Tracer supply confirmed first — The radioactive tracer is produced in limited batches. Your booking is only finalised once supply for your date is secured.
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A DOTANOC PET-CT is ordered when your specialist suspects or has confirmed a neuroendocrine tumour, phaeochromocytoma, or paraganglioma. It is also used before PRRT — a targeted radiation treatment — to confirm your tumour has the receptors PRRT needs. Your oncologist, endocrinologist, or surgeon orders it, not a general physician.
CION's PET-CT scans in Hyderabad start at Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Which cancers is a DOTANOC scan used for?
DOTANOC is ordered for neuroendocrine tumours of the gut, pancreas, and lung; for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma; and in some cases for a tumour of unknown origin where the biopsy suggests a neuroendocrine type.
The scan works by targeting somatostatin receptors — proteins on the surface of these tumour cells. Not all tumours carry these receptors, which is why DOTANOC is the right scan for this specific group of diagnoses and not for most other cancers.
At what point in your treatment is the scan ordered?
The scan is ordered at initial staging, before surgery, before PRRT, and during follow-up — many patients have it at more than one point in their care.
At initial staging, it maps where the disease has spread, including small sites that CT may miss. Before surgery, it shows how many lesions are present and where. Before PRRT, it confirms your tumour carries enough somatostatin receptors for the treatment to reach it.
During follow-up, it checks whether the tumour has responded to treatment or whether new lesions have appeared.
Who refers you for a DOTANOC scan?
This scan is ordered by the specialist managing your care — usually a medical oncologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, or surgeon with experience in neuroendocrine tumours.
A general physician does not typically initiate it directly. If your GP suspects a neuroendocrine tumour, they will refer you to the right specialist, who then orders the scan once they have reviewed your history and results.
At CION partner imaging centres, tracer availability is checked at the time of booking. If your preferred date is not available, the team will offer the next confirmed slot.
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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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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What do the words on your referral letter mean?
- DOTANOC (68Ga-DOTANOC)
- The radioactive tracer used in this scan. It binds to somatostatin receptors on tumour cells and makes those cells visible on the PET image.
- Somatostatin receptor
- A protein found on the surface of many neuroendocrine tumour cells. The tracer targets this protein, which is why the scan works for these tumours and not for most others.
- Neuroendocrine tumour (NET)
- A tumour arising from cells that produce hormones or hormone-like substances. NETs occur most often in the gut, pancreas, and lung, and tend to grow slowly.
- Phaeochromocytoma
- A usually benign tumour of the adrenal gland that produces adrenaline-related hormones. DOTANOC is used to locate it and check whether it has spread.
- Paraganglioma
- A tumour similar to phaeochromocytoma that grows outside the adrenal gland — often in the abdomen, chest, or head and neck region.
- PRRT
- Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy — a targeted treatment for NETs that works through the same somatostatin receptor the DOTANOC tracer targets. A DOTANOC scan is done before PRRT to confirm the receptor is present in sufficient amounts.
What else do patients ask before their DOTANOC scan?
Is DOTANOC the same as DOTATATE?
Both are Gallium-68 somatostatin receptor tracers and work on the same principle. DOTANOC binds to a broader range of receptor subtypes; DOTATATE binds more selectively and has stronger evidence for some NET types. Your specialist chooses between them based on your diagnosis. At CION partner imaging centres, availability depends on which tracer is in supply on your scan date.
Why does tracer supply have to be confirmed before I can book?
The Gallium-68 tracer is produced in small batches and has a short shelf life after production. Confirming supply at the time of booking means you will not travel to the centre only to find the scan cannot proceed. If your preferred date is not available, the team will offer the next confirmed slot. This matters especially if you are travelling from another city.
What if the scan shows no uptake in my tumour?
Low or absent tracer uptake means the tumour does not carry somatostatin receptors in sufficient numbers to appear on the scan. This is more common with high-grade or poorly differentiated NETs. It does not mean the tumour is absent — it means a different scan is needed. Your oncologist will usually recommend an FDG PET scan instead, which works through a different mechanism and is better suited to faster-growing tumours.
Will I need a biopsy as well, or does this scan replace it?
The DOTANOC scan shows where tumour is present and how strongly the tracer accumulates. It does not replace a tissue biopsy. A biopsy tells your team what type of cells are present and how aggressive they are — information the scan cannot provide. In most cases, a biopsy and the scan are ordered as part of the same workup, not as alternatives to each other.
Did you know?
Gallium-68 somatostatin receptor PET-CT finds more sites of neuroendocrine disease than conventional CT scanning alone and has replaced older nuclear medicine methods in most specialist centres.
ENETS and EANM guidelines recognise it as the preferred first-line imaging for well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours.
Source: ENETS Consensus Guidelines; EANM Guidance on Radiolabelled Somatostatin Analogues
CION does PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city — including an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a DOTANOC scan and a regular PET scan?
A standard PET scan uses an FDG tracer — a form of glucose — to find high-metabolism tumours, which covers most common cancers. DOTANOC uses a tracer that targets somatostatin receptors instead. The two scans find different tumours entirely. DOTANOC would not detect most common cancers even if they were present — and an FDG PET would miss many neuroendocrine tumours that DOTANOC finds clearly.
Can my GP refer me directly, or do I need to see a specialist first?
In most cases, the referral comes from a specialist — an endocrinologist, oncologist, or surgeon — who has reviewed your results and confirmed that DOTANOC is indicated. A GP can raise the suspicion and refer you to the right specialist. If your GP has mentioned this scan, asking for a specialist referral is the practical next step.
How much does a DOTANOC or DOTATATE PET-CT cost at CION partner centres?
Through CION partner imaging centres, DOTANOC and DOTATATE PET-CT are priced at ₹23,999 (indicative; as of 2026, subject to change). Which tracer is used depends on your clinical indication and availability on your scan date. Ask the booking team to confirm the current price and whether your insurer covers nuclear medicine PET scans before making travel arrangements.
How long does the whole process take on the day of the scan?
After the tracer is injected, a waiting period allows it to distribute through your body before imaging begins. The scan itself then takes some time to complete. You should set aside most of a morning or afternoon. Your team will tell you the exact schedule, whether you need to fast beforehand, and any other preparation specific to your situation.
Can I have this scan if my tumour has not been biopsied yet?
It depends on your situation. For phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma already confirmed by blood and urine tests, the scan may be ordered before a biopsy to map the disease. For a suspected NET, it usually follows a biopsy. Your specialist will tell you the sequence that applies to your diagnosis — the two are not always done in the same order.
Will the scan result tell us if the tumour is cancer?
No. The scan shows where the tracer has accumulated and how strongly — which tells your team how much tumour is present and where it is. It cannot distinguish a benign lesion from a malignant one, and it does not replace a tissue biopsy for that determination. Your specialist interprets the result alongside your biopsy, blood tests, and other imaging to build the full picture.