You just finished the scan. You’ve been through the fasting, the radioactive tracer injection, and that weirdly still hour in the plastic tube. Now, you’re home. Every time your phone pings, your heart does a little jump. You just want to know how long to get results of PET scan so you can finally stop staring at the wall.
Waiting is the hardest part. Honestly, it’s agonizing. But the truth is, the timeline isn't just one fixed number because a PET scan isn't a simple photograph; it’s a complex map of how your body is actually functioning at a cellular level.
The Reality of the Timeline
Most patients will see their results in 24 to 48 hours.
That’s the standard window. However, don't panic if it takes three or four days. If you had your scan on a Friday afternoon, you’re likely looking at Tuesday or Wednesday. Radiologists don't usually work through the weekend to clear non-emergency backlogs, and your scan needs a specialist’s eye.
The image itself is ready almost instantly. But you can't read it. I can't read it. Even your primary care doctor might struggle to interpret the raw data without the radiologist’s report. A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan produces 3D images that show "hot spots" where the tracer—usually a form of glucose called FDG—has accumulated. Since cancer cells are sugar-hungry, they glow. But so does infection. So does inflammation. A radiologist has to look at those glows and figure out what’s a tumor and what’s just a healing muscle from your gym session three days ago.
Why does it take so long?
It’s about the comparison. Radiologists almost never look at a PET scan in a vacuum. They’re pulling up your old CT scans, your MRIs, and your previous PET results from two years ago to see if that spot moved, grew, or shrunk.
They are looking for "interval change."
If they find something suspicious, they might even ask a colleague for a second opinion. This peer review is great for accuracy, but it’s a total drag for your anxiety levels. Then, the radiologist dictates a report. That recording has to be transcribed (often by AI now, but still checked by humans) and sent to your referring physician.
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What Slows Down Your PET Scan Results?
Sometimes the delay has nothing to do with your health and everything to do with paperwork.
If your scan was done at an independent imaging center but your doctor is at a major university hospital, the digital files have to be transferred. Sometimes the systems don't talk to each other. It sounds ridiculous in 2026, but "IT issues" are a very real reason why you’re still waiting on Wednesday for a Monday scan.
Then there’s the "stat" factor.
In a hospital setting, patients in the ER or ICU get priority. If the radiology department is slammed with trauma cases, your outpatient scan moves down the pile. It sucks, but it's the triage reality of healthcare.
The Complexity of the Case
Certain conditions are harder to read. For example, if you’re monitoring a rare neuroendocrine tumor or checking for early-stage Alzheimer’s, the nuances are much finer than checking for a large lung mass. The more complex the question, the longer the radiologist might spend staring at the screen.
Also, consider the SUV. No, not the car.
The Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) is a mathematical calculation of how much tracer a tissue absorbed. The radiologist has to calculate these numbers for various points in your body. It’s meticulous work. They aren't just looking; they're measuring.
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The MyChart Trap
We live in the era of the patient portal. You might get a notification that "A new test result is available" before your doctor has even seen it.
This is a double-edged sword.
You open the PDF and see words like "hypermetabolic activity" or "adenopathy." Suddenly, you’re on Google at 2:00 AM convinced of the worst-case scenario. Most experts, including those at the Mayo Clinic, suggest waiting for the doctor’s phone call. Why? Because the report is written for doctors, not for us. A "suspicious finding" might be something your doctor already knew about or something they can easily explain away based on your physical exam.
If you see your results online first, take a breath. How long to get results of PET scan often depends on when your doctor has a gap in their clinic schedule to actually sit down, read the report, and call you with a plan. A result without a plan is just a source of stress.
How to Speed Things Up (Sorta)
You can't make the radiologist work faster, but you can prevent administrative lag.
- Ask the technician. Before you leave the imaging suite, ask, "What’s the typical turnaround for this facility?" They know the current backlog.
- Confirm the destination. Make sure they have the correct fax number or digital portal info for your specialist.
- The Three-Day Rule. If you haven't heard anything after three business days, call your doctor’s nurse. Sometimes the report is sitting in a digital "inbox" and just needs a human to click "open."
- Request the CD. It feels old school, but many places can burn the images onto a disc for you right then. While you can't read it, having it in your hand means you can bring it to your next appointment, ensuring no delays if the digital transfer fails.
Understanding the "Hot Spots"
People often assume a fast result means good news and a slow result means bad news.
That’s a myth.
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A "clean" scan can take a long time to report because the radiologist is being extra careful to make sure they didn't miss a tiny speck. Conversely, a scan with obvious issues might be reported quickly so treatment can start immediately. There is no secret code in the timing.
The PET scan is often combined with a CT (PET/CT), giving the doctor a "fusion" image. This shows both the anatomy (where things are) and the metabolism (what things are doing). It’s a massive amount of data. According to the American Cancer Society, this fusion is the gold standard for staging many cancers, but the sheer volume of data slices—sometimes hundreds of images—takes time to flip through.
Dealing with "Scanxiety"
The emotional toll of waiting is real. "Scanxiety" is a term used widely in the oncology community to describe the specific dread that comes with waiting for imaging results.
It helps to stay busy.
Go to the movies. Clean the garage. Do anything that prevents you from hitting "refresh" on your medical portal every ten minutes. It also helps to remember that the PET scan is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s not the whole picture. Your blood work, your physical symptoms, and your biopsy results all matter just as much.
Moving Forward After the Results
Once you finally get that call, things will move fast.
If the results are clear, you’ll likely set a schedule for a follow-up in six months or a year. If the results show activity, the next step isn't usually "panic"—it's "protocol." Your doctor might order a biopsy or a different type of scan to confirm exactly what those hot spots represent.
Actionable Steps for the Waiting Period:
- Direct Communication: Call your doctor’s office before the scan and ask how they prefer to deliver results—phone call, portal, or in-person. Knowing the "how" helps manage the "when."
- Clear the Calendar: Try to schedule your scan for a Monday or Tuesday. This gives the lab the full week to process and get the report to your doctor before the weekend hits.
- Prepare Your Questions: While you wait, write down what you want to ask when the doctor calls. Ask about the "SUV max" numbers and what they mean for your specific diagnosis.
- Check Your Insurance: Sometimes, insurance companies require a "prior authorization" for the next steps based on the results. Check your portal to see if anything is pending.
The clock is ticking, and it feels slow. But the accuracy of the interpretation is way more important than the speed of the delivery. Let the radiologist take the time they need to get it right.