Authored by Dr. Ishita B. Sen, reviewed by Dr. Dharmender Malik · based on the DICOM standard, the EANM FDG PET/CT guideline, India's medical ethics regulations and the study referenced below.
AI Overview · plain answer
Yes, you can get your PET-CT read again by another specialist. The key is to get the images themselves in DICOM format (a download link, or a CD or DVD), not only the PDF report.[1] Also collect the original report, any earlier scans, a biopsy report if you have one, and a short summary of your treatment.
In India, the medical ethics regulations for doctors say medical records asked for by a patient should be issued within 72 hours.[3] Our PET-CT Second Read sends a report within 72 hours of receiving the complete scan and information; the fee is ₹2,500 for patients living in India and USD 100 for patients living outside India.
Important
This page gives general information about getting a second reading of a PET-CT. It is not medical or legal advice. A second reading does not replace the doctor who is treating you.
Why the PDF report is not enough
The report is the first reader’s summary, often with a few pictures. A second reading means looking at the scan again: every slice of the PET and the CT. That needs the original image files in DICOM format (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), the international standard for medical images.[1]
Earlier scans matter too. The European (EANM) guideline says comparison with previous examinations should be part of an FDG PET-CT report.[2]
What to collect
| What |
Why it helps |
| DICOM images of the PET-CT (a download link, or a CD or DVD) |
The specialist looks at the images themselves |
| The original report |
Shows what was reported the first time |
| Earlier scans (PET-CT, CT or MRI), with their reports |
Allows comparison over time[2] |
| Biopsy (histopathology) report, if you have one |
Tells the reader what the disease is |
| A short clinical summary |
The type of cancer, and the dates of any surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, which can change what lights up on the scan[2] |
How to get your DICOM images
- Contact the scan centre: the PET-CT or radiology desk, or the medical records department.
- Ask for the complete DICOM images of your PET-CT (all image series), and a copy of the report.
- Choose a download link if offered. This is the ‘DICOM link’ that the Second Read form asks for. It is easier to share than a CD or DVD.
- Take photo ID. If someone else is collecting, give them a signed note from the patient.
- Check the link opens (or the CD has files) before you send it.
A message you can send to the scan centre
“Please share the complete DICOM images of my PET-CT scan done on [date] (all image series), and a copy of the report, as a download link if possible. Patient name: [name]; ID or registration number: [number]. Thank you.”
Asking for your records
In India, the medical ethics regulations for doctors (Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002) say that if a patient or authorised attendant asks for medical records, the request should be acknowledged and the documents issued within 72 hours.[3] Rules in other countries differ; ask the scan centre how it handles requests.
How the Second Read works
- Send the scan. Fill in the secure online form with your details, paste the DICOM link and add the reports and summary.
- Specialist review. Dr. Ishita B. Sen and Dr. Dharmender Malik, nuclear medicine physicians, review the scan.
- Report. A structured, digitally signed report is sent within 72 hours of receiving the complete scan and clinical information.
The report is a diagnostic reading of the scan. It does not recommend a treatment; it is written for your treating doctor, who decides what happens next. Patients living outside India can use it too: only the imaging data travels.
How often does a second reading change the opinion?
In one US cancer-centre study of 240 PET-CT scans done at other centres, specialist re-reading gave a different opinion about cancer for 31 scans (13%). Where the final answer was later known, the re-read was right in 25 of 28 of those cases. Most re-reads (209 of 240) agreed with the first report about cancer.[4]
PET-CT Second Read · an independent reading of your scan
When you have the DICOM link and reports ready, Dr. Ishita B. Sen and Dr. Dharmender Malik, nuclear medicine physicians at TPPL, Gurugram, would be happy to review the scan. You receive a structured, digitally signed report within 72 hours of us receiving the complete scan and information. The fee is ₹2,500 for patients living in India and USD 100 for patients living outside India.
If you only have a CD or DVD, contact us on WhatsApp before you send anything. Open the Second Read form →
Request a Second Read · WhatsApp +91 8800 988936
When a Second Read can’t help
- It needs the actual images (a DICOM link), not only the PDF report.
- It cannot prove cancer or TB on its own. That usually needs a sample, such as a biopsy.
- It does not recommend a treatment. Your treating doctor decides what happens next.
- It is not for emergencies. New severe pain, breathlessness, weakness or bleeding needs your doctor or a hospital now.
For patients & families
Frequently asked questions
Q01Can I get my PET scan read again by another specialist?
Yes. You can ask another nuclear medicine specialist to read the same scan. They need the images themselves (DICOM), not only the PDF report, plus the original report, any earlier scans, a biopsy report if you have one and a short summary of your illness and treatment.
Q02What is a DICOM file?
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is the international standard format for medical images. A complete DICOM copy of your PET-CT contains all the images, so another specialist can look at every slice, not just the few pictures printed in a report.
Q03How do I get the DICOM images from the scan centre?
Ask the scan centre, usually the PET-CT or radiology desk or the medical records department, for the complete DICOM images of your PET-CT and a copy of the report. You may be given a download link or a CD or DVD. Take photo ID, and a signed note from the patient if someone else is collecting.
Q04Is the PDF report enough for a second reading?
No. The report is the first reader's summary. A second reading means looking at the images again, so the DICOM images are needed. The report is still useful, to see what was said the first time.
Q05Is there a time limit for getting my medical records in India?
India's medical ethics regulations for doctors (Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002) say that when a patient or authorised attendant asks for medical records, the documents should be issued within 72 hours. Ask the scan centre how it handles requests. Rules in other countries differ.
Q06Can I send my scan from outside India?
Yes. The Second Read accepts scans from patients living outside India. Only the imaging data travels; the fee for patients living outside India is USD 100.
Q07Will the second reading tell me which treatment to have?
No. The Second Read report is a diagnostic reading of the scan. It does not recommend a treatment. It is written for your treating doctor, who decides what happens next.
Q08How long does the Second Read take and what does it cost?
The report is sent within 72 hours of receiving the complete scan and clinical information. The fee is ₹2,500 for patients living in India and USD 100 for patients living outside India. The fee depends on where you live, not on your nationality.
Evidence & references
[1] DICOM Standard. About DICOM: Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. NEMA (DICOM Secretariat); recognised as ISO 12052.
View source ↗[2] Boellaard R et al. FDG PET/CT: EANM procedure guidelines for tumour imaging, version 2.0. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015 (PMID 25452219) — comparison with earlier scans, and the effect of recent treatment on FDG uptake.
View source ↗[3] Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 — regulation 1.3.2, issue of medical records within 72 hours.
View source ↗[4] Ulaner GA et al. Nucl Med Commun 2017 (PMID 28291158) — specialist re-reading of 240 PET-CT scans performed at other centres.
View source ↗
About the Author
Dr. Ishita B. Sen
MBBS · DRM · DNB (Nuclear Medicine) · Senior Director & Head, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Dr. Sen leads the nuclear medicine and theranostics programme in Gurugram, with a focus on PSMA and DOTATATE imaging and Lu-177 and Ac-225 radioligand therapy. Together with Dr. Dharmender Malik, she reviews the PET-CT scans sent to the Second Read service.