If you or a loved one has been advised a PET CT scan — whether at AIIMS Delhi or any other centre — this guide covers everything you need to know. We explain what a PET CT is, every major tracer available today (FDG, PSMA, DOTANOC, DOPA, FAPI and more), how scans are done at AIIMS, typical wait times, preparation instructions, costs in Delhi NCR, and when an EVE Healthcare partner centre near AIIMS may be the faster choice for urgent cancer staging.
Quick Summary: PET CT is the gold standard for cancer detection, staging and treatment response. AIIMS Delhi offers most tracers but appointment wait times can range from 2 to 8 weeks. EVE Healthcare partner centres provide the same tracers — PSMA, DOTA, DOPA, FDG, FAPI — with same-day or next-day slots. WhatsApp +91-9990032078
What is a PET CT Scan?
A PET CT (Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography) scan is a hybrid imaging technique that combines two tests into one. The PET component shows metabolic and molecular activity inside the body — essentially, how cells are behaving — while the CT component provides the anatomical map that tells doctors exactly where that activity is located.
A small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected into your vein. Cancer cells, inflamed tissue, or specific receptor-positive cells absorb this tracer more than normal tissue. The scanner then picks up the signal and creates 3D images. The tracer used determines what the scan can detect — this is why there are so many different types of PET CT scans.
Types of PET CT Scans — All Tracers Explained
At EVE Healthcare partner centres — like at AIIMS Delhi's Department of Nuclear Medicine — we offer the full spectrum of diagnostic and theranostic PET tracers. Here is a breakdown of each:
1. FDG PET CT (Fluorodeoxyglucose)
Best for: Lung cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer, head and neck cancers, colorectal cancer, oesophageal cancer, melanoma, cervical cancer, cancer of unknown primary, and infection and inflammation imaging.
FDG is the most widely used PET tracer in the world. It mimics glucose — and because most cancer cells consume glucose at a much higher rate than normal cells, they light up on the scan. FDG PET CT is used for initial staging, restaging after treatment, response assessment during chemotherapy and detecting recurrence.
2. PSMA PET CT (Gallium-68 PSMA / F-18 PSMA)
Best for: Prostate cancer — initial staging, biochemical recurrence (rising PSA), and selecting patients for Lu-177 PSMA therapy.
PSMA is a protein expressed on prostate cancer cells. A PSMA PET CT is now considered the most accurate imaging for prostate cancer worldwide — far superior to a standard bone scan or conventional imaging. It can detect even small recurrences when PSA is as low as 0.2 ng/mL. AIIMS Delhi is a major referral centre for PSMA scans — however wait times of 2 to 4 weeks are common. EVE Healthcare partner centres offer same-week PSMA PET CT from ₹16,000.
3. DOTA PET CT (Ga-68 DOTANOC / DOTATATE / DOTATOC)
Best for: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), carcinoid tumours, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, medullary thyroid cancer, and meningioma.
DOTA-based tracers bind to somatostatin receptors, which are overexpressed in neuroendocrine tumours. This scan is essential before starting PRRT (Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy). DOTANOC is the most commonly used variant in India. For NET patients advised a "Gallium scan" or "somatostatin receptor PET" — this is the test.
4. DOPA PET CT (F-18 DOPA)
Best for: Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, neuroblastoma in children, and congenital hyperinsulinism in infants.
F-18 DOPA measures dopamine synthesis and neuroendocrine activity. It is one of the more specialised tracers — many private centres in Delhi do not offer it, which is one reason patients are often referred to AIIMS. EVE Healthcare partner centres produce F-18 DOPA on demand.
5. FAPI PET CT (Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor)
Best for: Pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, sarcomas, and tumours that show low FDG uptake.
FAPI is one of the newest and most exciting PET tracers. In several cancers — especially pancreatic and hepatobiliary — it has been shown to detect lesions missed by FDG PET CT. For patients with suspected GI malignancy where FDG has been inconclusive, FAPI is often the next step.
6. Other Specialised Tracers
- F-18 FES PET CT: Estrogen receptor imaging in breast cancer
- F-18 NaF PET CT: Bone metastases detection — more sensitive than conventional bone scan
- F-18 Amyloid / Tau PET: Alzheimer's and dementia evaluation
- Ga-68 Exendin PET CT: Insulinoma localisation
- F-18 FLT PET CT: Cell proliferation imaging in select oncology cases
PET CT Scan at AIIMS Delhi — What Patients Should Know
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi is India's premier public hospital and home to one of the busiest nuclear medicine departments in Asia. The AIIMS PET CT facility is located in the Department of Nuclear Medicine and services are usually accessed through an AIIMS oncology, urology, endocrinology or neurology referral.
What AIIMS PET CT offers:
- Full range of tracers including FDG, PSMA, DOTANOC, DOPA, FAPI and research tracers
- Highly subsidised rates for eligible patients
- Integrated care with AIIMS oncologists, surgeons and radiation therapists
- Access to Lu-177 PSMA and Lu-177 DOTATATE theranostic therapies
Common challenges patients face at AIIMS:
- Long wait times — PET CT appointments can be 2 to 8 weeks out, which is difficult when cancer staging is time-sensitive
- Referral process — You typically need an AIIMS OPD consultation first
- Multiple visits — Registration, consultation, scan and report collection usually require separate days
- Reporting delays — Final reports can take several days to a week
If your oncologist has said "staging needs to be done before we start chemo or surgery" or "we need to see the response quickly" — waiting 4 to 6 weeks for a scan can materially affect your treatment timeline. This is the single biggest reason patients consider private PET CT centres as an alternative or complement to AIIMS.
When Do You Need a PET CT Scan?
Your doctor may advise a PET CT scan in these situations:
- Initial staging of a newly diagnosed cancer to see if it has spread
- Treatment response — to assess whether chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation is working
- Restaging — before surgery or after completion of treatment
- Suspected recurrence — rising tumour markers (PSA, CEA, CA 19-9, Thyroglobulin etc.)
- Cancer of unknown primary — metastasis found but primary tumour not identified
- Characterising a lesion — for example a lung nodule seen on CT
- Pre-therapy evaluation — before PRRT or Lu-177 PSMA therapy
- Pyrexia of unknown origin — evaluating infection or inflammation source
How to Prepare for a PET CT Scan
Preparation varies slightly by tracer. For the most common scan — FDG PET CT — these instructions apply:
- Fasting: 6 hours before the scan. Plain water is allowed and encouraged
- No sugary drinks, chewing gum or cough syrups — these raise blood glucose and can affect image quality
- No heavy exercise for 24 hours before — muscle uptake of FDG creates artefacts
- Diabetic patients: Inform the centre in advance. Blood sugar should ideally be under 150 to 200 mg per dL at the time of injection
- Bring all previous reports — biopsy report, previous imaging CDs, tumour markers and treatment summary
- Wear comfortable clothes without metal zips or buttons
- Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
For PSMA, DOTA and DOPA scans — fasting is usually not required but always confirm with the centre when booking.
The PET CT Procedure — Step by Step
- Registration and history — 10 to 15 minutes
- Blood sugar check and IV line (for FDG)
- Tracer injection — a small injection into your vein, not painful beyond a normal pinprick
- Uptake phase — rest quietly for 45 to 60 minutes while the tracer circulates. Minimal movement and no talking
- Scan — lie still on the scanner table for 15 to 25 minutes. The machine is open — not a closed tunnel like MRI — so claustrophobia is rarely an issue
- Post-scan — eat, drink and go home. Drink plenty of water for 24 hours to help flush the tracer
Total centre time: approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Is PET CT Safe?
The radiation dose from a PET CT is roughly equivalent to 2 to 3 years of natural background radiation — comparable to a standard contrast CT scan. For cancer patients, the diagnostic benefit vastly outweighs the small theoretical risk. The tracer has a very short half-life (F-18 = 110 minutes, Ga-68 = 68 minutes) and clears from the body within hours.
After the scan — avoid prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for 6 to 8 hours, and drink plenty of water.
PET CT Scan Cost in Delhi 2026 — AIIMS vs EVE Healthcare Partner Centres
| Scan Type | AIIMS (subsidised) | EVE Healthcare Partner Centres |
|---|---|---|
| FDG PET CT (whole body) | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹18,000 |
| PSMA PET CT | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 | ₹16,000 – ₹25,000 |
| DOTANOC / DOTATATE PET CT | ₹10,000 – ₹14,000 | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 |
| F-18 DOPA PET CT | ₹12,000 – ₹16,000 | ₹24,000 – ₹35,000 |
| FAPI PET CT | Limited availability | ₹28,000 – ₹42,000 |
Costs are indicative. Please confirm with the centre at the time of booking. WhatsApp +91-9990032078
Why Patients Choose EVE Healthcare Partner Centres Over AIIMS (Or Alongside It)
- Same-day or next-day appointments — no 4 to 8 week wait
- All tracers available: FDG, PSMA, DOTA, DOPA, FAPI, FES, NaF
- Reports in 24 hours with soft copy shared digitally
- Latest digital PET CT scanner — lower radiation dose, sharper images
- Direct consultation with a nuclear medicine physician to discuss findings
- Cashless facility with major insurance and TPAs
- Reliable tracer supply — confirmed availability before your appointment is finalised
- Comparison with previous AIIMS scans if you bring prior imaging CDs
Book via eve-healthcare.com or WhatsApp +91-9990032078
Disclaimer: This article is for general patient information and is not medical advice. PET CT scans should only be undertaken on the advice of a qualified doctor. EVE Healthcare is an independent diagnostic marketplace and is not affiliated with AIIMS, New Delhi. Information about AIIMS services is based on publicly available information and patient-reported experiences.
