After your scan
When to Call the Centre — After Your PET-CT Scan
Most people leave a PET-CT feeling the same as when they arrived. Some notice symptoms that need a call the same day. A small number need emergency care. This page tells you which is which so you do not have to guess.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Most scans cause no reaction — The radiotracer and any contrast used in PET-CT are generally well tolerated. Most people are fine within an hour of leaving the scan centre.
- Allergic reactions are rare but real — A small number of people react to the contrast injection. Most reactions are mild, but a severe one needs emergency care right away.
- The injection site can react — Mild soreness or bruising at the cannula site is common. Swelling that spreads or pain that worsens needs a same-day call.
- Do not wait for your next appointment — If something feels wrong after the scan, call your centre that day. The team will tell you whether to come in.
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Most people feel fine after a PET-CT scan. A small number notice symptoms that need action. Facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty mean go to hospital now. Fever, worsening pain at the injection site, or nausea lasting hours means call your oncology centre the same day.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.
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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. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
Which symptoms need a call today — not an emergency, but not something to leave?
Call your oncology centre the same day if you have a fever that was not there before the scan, if swelling or pain at the injection site is getting worse rather than settling, or if you feel nauseated or dizzy and it has not improved after a few hours.
When you call, tell the team which symptom you have, when it started, and whether it is getting better or worse. They will decide whether you need to come in.
If you cannot reach your centre, contact the CION helpline or go to the nearest CION centre. Do not wait until your next scheduled visit for a symptom that is worsening.
Three-tier guide: emergency, call today, or wait?
| What you notice | Urgency | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Face or throat swelling, spreading hives, trouble breathing | Emergency — go now | Nearest emergency department, immediately |
| Chest pain or fast, irregular heartbeat after the scan | Emergency — go now | Nearest emergency department, immediately |
| Feeling faint or losing consciousness | Emergency — go now | Call 112 now |
| Fever that was not there before the scan | Call today | Call your oncology centre the same day |
| Injection-site swelling, redness or warmth that is spreading | Call today | Call your oncology centre the same day |
| Nausea or dizziness not improving after a few hours | Call today | Call your oncology centre the same day |
| Mild soreness or small bruise at the injection site | Can wait | Mention at your next appointment |
| Feeling tired for the rest of the day | Can wait | Rest — expected after a long scan |
| Slight headache that settles with rest | Can wait | Rest; mention at next appointment if it returns |
| Typically starts | Allergic reactions: usually soon after the contrast injection, while you are still in or near the scan centre. Injection-site soreness: same day or the following morning. | — |
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 10 more Family Support, Myths, Follow-Up and Emergencies topics
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
Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
I had my scan hours ago and felt fine at the time. Can a reaction still start now?
Most reactions to contrast or the radiotracer appear soon after the injection, while you are still at or near the scan centre. A new symptom that starts many hours later is less likely to be scan-related, but any symptom that is worrying you is worth a call. Tell your centre when the scan was, when the symptom started, and what exactly you are noticing — they will help you work out whether the two are connected.
There is a small lump where the cannula was. Should I be worried?
A small, tender lump or bruise at the injection site is common and usually settles within a day or two. What needs a same-day call is swelling that is spreading outward rather than staying in one spot, skin that is becoming red and warm in an expanding area, or pain that is getting worse rather than better. If you are in any doubt, call rather than wait.
What if I cannot reach my oncology team?
If you have a symptom from the emergency list and cannot reach your team, go to the nearest emergency department — do not wait for a callback. If your symptom is from the call-today list and you cannot get through, try the CION helpline or go to the nearest CION centre and ask to speak to someone in oncology. The contact number your team gave you at discharge is always the first place to try.
I felt nothing after the scan but I am worried about what the results might show. Who do I call?
Concerns about what your results mean need a conversation with your oncologist, not the emergency line. Contact your oncology team to ask when the results will be reviewed and when you can speak with your doctor. Waiting for a result is genuinely distressing, and letting your team know you are anxious is entirely reasonable.