PET-CT Scan Treatment in India

PET-CT Scan Treatment in India | Cost, Hospitals & Specialists

A PET-CT Scan is a medical procedure used to diagnose, manage or treat conditions related to various cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. It is commonly recommended for patients experiencing unexplained masses, metabolic activity assessment, or treatment response monitoring and is considered one of the most effective approaches for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Every year, India receives thousands of international patients from countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, the UAE, Oman and neighbouring Asian regions for advanced medical care, including PET-CT Scan. With experienced specialists, structured diagnostic programs and cost-effective medical care, India has become a preferred global destination.

India is a major centre for PET-CT Scan due to experienced specialists, advanced diagnostics, regulated clinical protocols and cost-effective care pathways.

1. Indications for PET-CT Scan

PET-CT Scan may be recommended in the following situations:

• Initial diagnosis and staging of various cancers
• Evaluating the extent of disease spread (metastasis)
• Assessing the response of tumors to chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Detecting cancer recurrence after initial treatment
• Differentiating between benign and malignant lesions
• Identifying areas of increased metabolic activity in neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, epilepsy)
• Evaluating myocardial viability in certain cardiac conditions

2. Types of PET-CT Scan in India

2.1 FDG PET-CT

Uses Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to detect metabolically active cells. It is commonly applied in oncology for cancer staging, in neurology for evaluating dementia, and in cardiology for assessing heart muscle viability.

2.2 Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT

Utilizes Gallium-68 Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) for highly specific imaging of prostate cancer. This is particularly useful for precise staging and detecting recurrence.

2.3 Ga-68 DOTA PET-CT

Employs Gallium-68 DOTA peptides to detect neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). It works by targeting somatostatin receptors often found on these tumor cells.

2.4 Advanced Radiotracers & Hybrid Systems

India's advanced diagnostic centres offer a range of specialized radiotracers for specific indications beyond FDG. These facilities feature state-of-the-art hybrid PET-CT scanners. They integrate PET and CT imaging for precise anatomical localization and metabolic assessment.

3. Pre-Scan Evaluation for PET-CT Scan

Before performing a PET-CT Scan, patients undergo a complete evaluation:

3.1 Laboratory Testing

• Blood sugar levels (critical for FDG PET-CT)
• Kidney/liver function tests (important for contrast media, if used)
• Disease-specific markers (relevant for clinical context)

3.2 Imaging Studies

• X-ray / CT / MRI / Ultrasound (used for correlation with PET-CT findings)

3.3 Functional Assessment

• Cardiac evaluation (if specific cardiac conditions are being assessed)

3.4 General Screening

• Disclosure of medical history and allergies

4. PET-CT Scan Procedure Overview

The procedure typically includes:

• Patient registration and consent
• Review of patient history and current medications
• Intravenous injection of the specific radiotracer
• Uptake period (typically 45-90 minutes, allowing tracer distribution)
• Positioning the patient on the PET-CT scanner table
• Simultaneous PET and low-dose CT imaging
• Image reconstruction and quality assessment
• Post-scan instructions and discharge

The exact steps depend on the type and complexity of the PET-CT Scan.

5. Recovery & Post-Scan Care

After a PET-CT Scan, patients receive:

• Hydration advice to flush out the radiotracer
• Instructions to avoid close contact with pregnant women and young children for a few hours
• Guidance on resuming normal daily activities immediately
• Information on when and how to access scan results
• Recommendation for a follow-up appointment with the referring doctor to discuss findings

Recovery duration is generally minimal, with patients resuming normal activities quickly.

6. Risks & Considerations

6.1 Early Considerations

• Minimal radiation exposure
• Rare allergic reaction to radiotracers
• Discomfort from lying still during the scan

6.2 Late Considerations

• Potential for false positive or negative results, requiring correlation with other tests

7. Diagnostic Accuracy of PET-CT Scan in India

Diagnostic accuracy depends on the underlying disease, the specific radiotracer used, and the patient’s overall health.

• High diagnostic accuracy for cancer staging: 85% – 95%
• Effective in monitoring treatment response: 80% – 90%
• Leads to more precise treatment planning
• High image quality and interpretation standards in major centres

8. Cost of PET-CT Scan in Major Indian Cities (2025)

City-wise cost range for PET-CT Scan:

• Delhi — ₹15,000 – ₹35,000
• Mumbai — ₹18,000 – ₹40,000
• Bangalore — ₹16,000 – ₹38,000
• Chennai — ₹17,000 – ₹37,000
• Hyderabad — ₹15,000 – ₹36,000
• Kolkata — ₹14,000 – ₹32,000
• Pune — ₹16,000 – ₹35,000
• Gurgaon — ₹18,000 – ₹38,000

Costs vary due to the specific radiotracer used, the diagnostic centre category, and the interpreting radiologist's expertise.

9. India vs USA Cost Comparison

Component	Cost in India (USD)	Cost in USA (USD)
Pre-Procedure Evaluation	50 – 200	200 – 1000
Standard PET-CT Scan (FDG)	200 – 450	2,500 – 7,000
Advanced PET-CT Scan (PSMA/DOTA)	500 – 1,000	5,000 – 15,000
Radiologist Interpretation	50 – 150	300 – 1,000
Follow-Up Care (if needed)	20 – 100	100 – 500

10. Condition-Wise Diagnostic Utility & Tracer Options

Condition	Diagnostic Utility Rate	Tracer Options
Cancer Staging (e.g., Lung Cancer)	90%	FDG PET-CT
Prostate Cancer Recurrence	95%	Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT
Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)	92%	Ga-68 DOTA PET-CT

11. India vs Global Cost Comparison (USD)

Region	Cost (USD)
India	200 – 1,000
USA	2,500 – 15,000
UK	1,500 – 4,000
Canada	1,800 – 5,000
Turkey	800 – 2,500
Thailand	700 – 2,000
Middle East	1,000 – 3,000

12. International Patient Services

• Specialist consultations
• Remote medical report review
• Personalized cost estimate
• Medical visa support
• Assistance with accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Interpreter support
• Pre-treatment evaluation coordination
• Post-treatment follow-up planning
• Digital access to medical records

13. Required Documentation

• Identity proof
• Passport (for international patients)
• Referral letter from physician
• Previous medical reports
• Lab results (e.g., blood sugar)
• Diagnostic images (previous CT/MRI/X-rays)
• Consent forms for the scan

14. Pre-Scan Guidelines

• Complete all evaluations
• Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours prior
• Follow medication instructions (especially for diabetes management)
• Follow fasting guidelines (typically 4-6 hours for FDG PET-CT)
• Disclose all ongoing medications
• Inform about any allergies or pregnancy

15. Post-Scan Guidelines

• Follow prescribed medications (resume regular schedule)
• Attend scheduled follow-ups (with referring doctor for results discussion)
• Maintain hygiene
• Follow dietary recommendations (resume normal diet)
• Avoid strenuous activity until advised (resume normal activities)
• Monitor for any unusual signs or complications
• Drink plenty of fluids to aid radiotracer excretion
• Limit close contact with vulnerable individuals for several hours after the scan

16. Why India for PET-CT Scan?

• High-volume specialist diagnostic centres
• Internationally trained radiologists and technicians
• Advanced diagnostics and technology platforms
• Regulated diagnostic protocols and quality standards
• Higher diagnostic accuracy in major centres
• Cost-effective medical care compared to Western countries

DivinHeal supports international patients in accessing reliable, well-guided and specialist-driven PET-CT Scan treatment in India through safe and structured medical pathways.