In London in 2026, a standard FDG PET-CT scan typically costs from around £1,000 to £2,500, with whole-body scans and specialist tracers costing more. A PSMA PET-CT scan, used for prostate cancer, is considerably more, usually from around £3,000 to £3,300 or more, because the PSMA radiotracer is specialised and less widely available. London prices tend to sit at the higher end of UK ranges, and it’s worth noting that a London scan also uses up more of your outpatient or diagnostic allowance if you’re insured, compared with a centre just outside London. Always ask for a written, all-inclusive price that confirms the tracer, the area being scanned and the consultant report, as costs vary by the type of scan and how much of the body is imaged.

London is one of the best-served areas in the UK for PET-CT, including specialist PSMA PET-CT scans for prostate cancer, with several private centres and hospitals offering them. PSMA PET-CT uses a specialised radiotracer (Ga-68 PSMA or F-18 PSMA) that is much more sensitive than traditional bone scans or CT for detecting prostate cancer and whether it has spread, which is why it’s increasingly requested for staging and for suspected recurrence. Because the PSMA tracer has to be produced to a schedule and isn’t available everywhere, availability and price vary by centre. If you need a PSMA scan specifically, it’s worth confirming the centre offers that exact tracer, the cost, and how quickly they can fit you in, as this isn’t the same as a standard FDG PET-CT scan.

Usually yes. Most private PET-CT centres require a referral from a specialist or consultant, because a PET scan is a targeted investigation that needs a clear clinical reason, most often cancer diagnosis, staging or monitoring. Some centres will accept a self-referral for a self-pay scan, but typically only after a short discussion to check a PET-CT is actually appropriate for your situation, rather than booking one on request. If you don’t have a referral, a private GP or specialist can assess you and arrange one, often within a day or two. If you’re using private health insurance, a referral and pre-authorisation are almost always required, and the scan usually needs to be part of an approved diagnostic or treatment pathway for the insurer to cover it.

Fast, which is a major reason people go private. Many London and nearby PET-CT centres aim to provide a scan within around 48 hours of receiving a referral, with results assessed by a specialist consultant and sent to your referring clinician shortly after. This is a significant contrast with NHS PET-CT, which is provided only when clinically justified and can involve a wait. The speed matters most in cancer, where staging and treatment decisions are time-sensitive. That said, PET-CT is a specialist scan for specific clinical situations, not a general check-up, so the right first step is a discussion with a specialist who can confirm whether PET-CT is the appropriate investigation for your symptoms or diagnosis before you book.

Often yes, but usually only under specific conditions. Most major UK health insurers cover PET-CT when it’s requested by a consultant as part of an approved diagnostic or treatment pathway, typically for cancer diagnosis, staging or monitoring, subject to your outpatient or diagnostic limits, excess and pre-authorisation. What insurance generally won’t cover is a PET scan you request yourself with no clinical indication, or as a general screening test, since PET-CT is designed to investigate specific medical problems. Because PET is expensive, it can use up a large part of your outpatient allowance, and London scans use more of that allowance than centres outside London, so it’s worth checking your limits before booking. Always confirm cover and pre-authorisation with your insurer, and check the centre is recognised, before your scan.