Whole-Body PET/CT Scan (18F-FDG)

Whole-body FDG PET/CT for oncology staging, restaging, and treatment response assessment. 300,000 HUF (≈€750). Tracer produced on-site. NEAK-funded or self-pay without referral.

Pozitron Medical Budapest performs whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT — the gold-standard imaging investigation for a wide range of cancers — using tracers produced in its on-site cyclotron laboratory. The combination of positron emission tomography and computed tomography provides simultaneous functional and anatomical information in a single session, allowing metabolically active tissue to be precisely co-registered with its structural context. The radiotracer 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) behaves like glucose in the body. Cancer cells have elevated glucose metabolism relative to normal tissue; they accumulate FDG at higher concentrations, producing areas of intense signal on the PET images. This metabolic signature often appears before detectable anatomical changes, meaning PET/CT can identify malignant lesions earlier than conventional CT or MRI. The whole-body acquisition covers the skull base to mid-thigh — the standard oncology field of view — with selective lower-extremity extension for melanoma and sarcoma when indicated. The clinical applications of FDG PET/CT span virtually the entire cancer spectrum: initial staging of lymphoma (both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), lung cancer, colorectal cancer, gynaecological cancers, head and neck malignancies, melanoma, and unknown primary tumour workup. Restaging after surgery or systemic therapy is a frequent indication, since PET/CT can distinguish active residual tumour from post-treatment scar tissue. Treatment response assessment mid-cycle — most widely established in Hodgkin lymphoma — uses the Deauville criteria applied to PET findings at interim time points. Pozitron Medical is one of Central Europe's most experienced PET/CT centres, with over 110,000 scans performed since its founding. The nuclear medicine team includes six consultant-level specialists with decades of collective PET/CT experience: Dr. Szakáll Szabolcs Ph.D (development director), Dr. Czibor Sándor Ph.D (deputy medical director), Dr. Lázár Máté (chief physician), Dr. med. habil. Lengyel Zsolt, and Dr. Szabados Lajos. Reports are issued within 3–5 working days on average. Preparation requirements: fasting for at least 6 hours before the scan (water only permitted), blood glucose below 11 mmol/L at the time of injection, avoidance of strenuous exercise for 72 hours prior. Patients with diabetes must contact the centre at booking to discuss insulin management. After the tracer injection, patients rest quietly in a dedicated room for approximately 1 hour before scanning to allow optimal tracer distribution; talking and physical activity are restricted during this uptake phase. The scan itself takes 15–20 minutes. NEAK (Hungarian national health insurance) financing is available for eligible oncology indications under referral from an oncologist, haematologist, neurosurgeon, or neurologist. Self-pay booking without referral is available via the online platform at medicall.cc or by telephone at +36 1 505-8888.