For Patients · PET/CT · Whole & Total Body
Whole & Total Body PET/CT
One scan, the whole picture.
A whole-body PET/CT captures the body in a single session, so your physician can see where disease is active and whether it has spread — all from one exam.
Overview
How far the scan covers.
A standard PET/CT is acquired from the base of the skull to the mid-thigh, which covers the regions where most cancers are found and staged. For certain cancers — such as melanoma — the scan is extended from the top of the head to the toes for true total-body coverage. Total-body scans are not performed routinely: the extended range adds radiation exposure without extra diagnostic benefit in most cases, so your physician and our specialist decide the right extent for your situation.
Who it is for
When a whole-body scan is ordered.
Your physician may order a whole-body PET/CT to:
Showing the full extent of disease across the body in one exam.
Identifying metastatic sites, including ones causing no symptoms.
Comparing scans before and after treatment.
Using total-body range for cancers such as melanoma that can spread widely.
Am I a candidate
Is this scan right for me?
A whole-body PET/CT gives a single, comprehensive view of the body. Your physician decides the tracer and the coverage that suit your situation.
Most scans need a requisition from your physician or nurse practitioner. Speak to them about a referral — and if it helps, bring the form with you.
01
You need staging or restaging of a known or suspected cancer.
02
Your team needs to know whether disease has spread.
03
A cancer that can spread widely calls for extended, total-body coverage.
04
Treatment response needs to be assessed across the body.
How to prepare
Before your appointment.
Preparation depends on the tracer used (most often FDG). Our team confirms your exact instructions when you book. In general:
For FDG scans, avoid food, gum and sugary drinks for 4 to 6 hours beforehand. Plain water is encouraged.
You may be asked to follow a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet in the 24 hours before your scan.
Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours before your appointment.
Wear warm, comfortable clothing without metal, and allow around two hours for the visit.
What to expect
A calm, guided visit.
Most of your time is the quiet uptake period after the injection. The scan itself is short and painless.
A technologist confirms your preparation and places an IV line.
The tracer is given, then you rest quietly for about an hour while it distributes.
You lie still on a table that moves slowly through the scanner for roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
Plan for about one and a half to two hours in total.
Results
When you get your results.
Your images are reviewed by our nuclear medicine specialist.
A signed report is delivered securely to your referring physician; for urgent cases we can share verbal findings the same day.
Your physician talks you through what the scan found and the next step.
Aftercare
After your scan.
A whole-body PET/CT is a diagnostic scan, not a treatment. The small amount of tracer clears from your body naturally within hours.
Drink plenty of water for the rest of the day and use the restroom often to help clear the tracer.
You can eat, drive, and return to your usual activities right away.
As a courtesy, keep a little extra distance from pregnant people and infants for the rest of the day. Your team confirms if any specific precaution applies.
Cost
What it costs.
$999
Whole & total body PET/CT
Prices are published up front, in Canadian dollars, with no hidden fees. A 50% deposit is taken at the time of booking and the balance is due on the day. Credit and debit are accepted, and instant financing is available through PayBright.
FAQ
Whole-body PET/CT, answered.
Is the scan painful?
No. Aside from a small IV injection, the scan is painless — you simply lie still.
What does "skull base to mid-thigh" mean?
That is the standard coverage for most cancers: head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and upper legs. When needed, we extend it from the top of the head to the toes.
Why not always scan the whole body?
The extended range adds radiation without extra benefit in most cases, so it is used only when the type of cancer calls for it.
How long does the visit take?
Plan for about one and a half to two hours, most of it the quiet uptake period after the injection.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A requisition from your physician or nurse practitioner is required. Our team confirms the details when you book.
Will my insurance cover it?
Initio is a private clinic, so the scan is paid directly. Many plans reimburse diagnostic imaging — we provide the documentation to claim.
Why Initio
Everything under one roof.
Your whole-body scan and its reading happen under one roof, with tracers produced in our in-house radiopharmacy and reports sent directly to your physician — fewer hand-offs, faster answers.
Your physician’s referral is all you need to begin. Our booking team handles preparation and scheduling.
Prefer to talk first? Call +1 (604) 678-9274, email info@initiomedical.ca, or send us a message.
Looking at other PET/CT options? Back to PET/CT overview.