For Patients · PET/CT · DOTATATE
DOTATATE PET/CT
Imaging for
neuroendocrine tumors.
DOTATATE PET/CT uses a tracer that binds to somatostatin receptors, which are expressed in high amounts on the surface of neuroendocrine tumor cells. The scan is used to stage neuroendocrine tumors, locate the extent of disease, and help determine whether a patient is a candidate for certain targeted therapies.
[ IMAGE ]A DOTATATE PET/CT scanner, or a calm clinical detail
Fasting
Tracer uptake
Scan time
Total visit
Who it is for
When a DOTATATE scan is ordered.
DOTATATE PET/CT is designed for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Your physician may recommend it to:
Finding neuroendocrine tumours and showing exactly where they are.
Mapping how far disease has spread before treatment decisions.
Confirming that tumours are receptor-positive before targeted radioligand therapy.
Following known disease to see how it is behaving.
Am I a candidate
Is this scan right for me?
DOTATATE binds to a receptor found on most neuroendocrine tumour cells, which makes this scan far more specific for NETs than a general PET scan. Your physician decides when it is appropriate.
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 have a confirmed or suspected neuroendocrine tumour.
02
Your team needs to know where disease is before planning treatment.
03
You are being considered for receptor-targeted radioligand therapy.
04
A conventional scan did not give a clear enough picture.
How it works
Locked to the receptor.
DOTATATE is built to recognise somatostatin receptors — markers found in abundance on neuroendocrine tumor cells.
The DOTATATE tracer is administered through an IV line.
It attaches to somatostatin receptors on neuroendocrine tumor cells.
The PET camera maps the tracer from head to mid-thigh.
A CT scan defines the precise location and extent of disease.
✓Some medications (e.g. octreotide) are paused first — your team will guide timing.
How to prepare
Before your appointment.
Preparation centres on the timing of certain medications. Your clinical coordinators provide exact, personalised instructions.
If you are taking somatostatin analogs such as octreotide or lanreotide, you will likely need to pause these before your scan. The timing depends on the specific medication, and our clinical coordinators will provide exact instructions when you book.
Drink plenty of water. Fasting instructions, if any, will be confirmed during booking based on your clinical profile.
[ IMAGE ]A patient resting calmly in a private uptake room
What to expect
A calm, guided exam.
After IV placement and tracer administration, you will rest for an uptake period of approximately 60 minutes. The scan covers the body from the head to the mid-thigh and typically takes 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 01
Check-in & IV line placement
Step 02
DOTATATE tracer administered via IV
Step 03
Quiet rest in a private uptake room
about 60 minutes
Step 04
Scan from head to mid-thigh
about 20–25 minutes
Plan for two to three hours total, from arrival to departure.
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.
This is a diagnostic scan, not a treatment, so there is very little to do afterwards. The small amount of tracer clears from your body naturally within hours.
Drink plenty of water for the rest of the day to help clear the tracer through your urine.
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 will confirm if any specific precaution applies to you.
Cost
What it costs.
$3,999
DOTATATE 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
Questions, answered.
Is a DOTATATE PET/CT painful?
No. Aside from a small IV injection, the scan is painless — you simply lie still.
How is it different from an FDG scan?
FDG follows sugar metabolism. DOTATATE attaches to a receptor found on neuroendocrine tumour cells, making it much more specific for those tumours.
Do I need to stop any medication first?
Some medications for neuroendocrine tumours can affect the scan and may need to be timed around it. Your care team will give you specific instructions when you book.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A requisition from your physician or nurse practitioner is required. You can download the form above.
How long does the visit take?
Plan for about two hours in total, most of it the quiet uptake period. The scan itself takes roughly 20–30 minutes.
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.
Explore by tracer
Other PET/CT tracers.
Why Initio
Everything under one roof.
Your DOTATATE scan, its reading, and — if you go on to receptor-targeted therapy — your treatment can all happen at Initio, with tracers from our in-house radiopharmacy and one consistent care team.
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.