How Much Does a PET-CT Scan Cost in 2026?

There is no fixed, standard price for PET-CT itself. Instead, after a remote review (pre-arrival review) costing KRW 1,000,000 (about US$730), the actual test costs are finalized item by item in the estimate issued by the hospital.

Key takeaways

• There is no single fixed price for PET-CT publicly available. Actual medical costs — tests, surgery, medication, etc. — are only finalized through an estimate issued by the hospital (based on figures confirmed on the site).
• The only amount confirmed in advance is the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee of KRW 1,000,000 (about US$730). This is not the cost of a PET-CT scan itself, but the fee for a service that reviews your existing records before treatment. If you go on to sign a treatment contract, this fee is deducted from your overall medical bill.
• PET-CT is not a test that every cancer patient needs as a matter of course; it is used selectively when metastasis is suspected (as explained consistently for stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer).
• For prostate cancer, a specialized form of PET called PSMA PET is used in high-risk patients to check for bone and lymph node metastasis.
• For international patients visiting Korea short-term specifically for treatment, national health insurance does not apply. As a rule, the full cost is paid out of pocket, and each hospital's own rate for foreign patients applies.

What exactly is a PET-CT scan?

• PET-CT is a type of imaging test used to search the whole body for areas where cancer cells may be present. It is not performed as a routine baseline test for every patient, but selectively when metastasis is suspected.
• For stomach cancer, PET-CT is not required for every patient and is used selectively when metastasis is suspected. For colorectal cancer and breast cancer as well, it is described as a test considered selectively when the stage is advanced, symptoms are present, or recurrence is suspected.
• For prostate cancer, in higher-risk cases a bone scan or a PET scan targeting PSMA is used to check for bone and lymph node metastasis. In other words, the purpose and timing of PET-CT use differ depending on the cancer type and clinical situation.

How much does a single PET-CT scan cost?

• The only amount confirmed on the site, as noted, is the remote review fee of KRW 1,000,000 (about US$730). This is not the cost of a PET-CT scan — it is the fee for having a medical specialist review your existing records (imaging, biopsy results, medical certificates, etc.) and provide a written opinion.
• Individual costs for tests (including PET-CT), surgery, hospitalization, and medication vary greatly depending on cancer type, stage, and treatment method, so no single figure can be quoted in advance. These costs are only finalized item by item in the estimate the hospital issues after the remote review.
• International patients visiting short-term for treatment are not covered by Korean national health insurance. As a rule, they bear the full cost themselves, and the amount — based on each hospital's rate for foreign patients — is finalized through the estimate.

What is the process for requesting a review?

• Step 1: Submit your existing records — original DICOM imaging files are recommended — along with biopsy results, medical certificates, and any other records you have.
• Step 2: A written opinion is issued within 5 business days of the date all records are complete. If the hospital exceeds this timeframe, the full KRW 1,000,000 review fee is refunded.
• Step 3: Along with the written opinion, you receive an estimate from the hospital that itemizes costs for tests (including PET-CT), surgery, hospitalization, and medication, as well as interpretation, accommodation, and transportation costs.
• Step 4: If you sign a treatment contract, the KRW 1,000,000 review fee you paid upfront is deducted from your medical bill.

FAQ — Why does this differ from PET-CT prices I've seen online?

Figures circulating online are often based on specific individual cases or outdated information. Actual costs depend on multiple factors — stage, surgical method, length of hospital stay, medications used, and more — so only the amount confirmed in the hospital's estimate can be considered accurate.

FAQ — Is the cost of PET-CT included in the coordinator fee or the review fee?

No, it is not included. The KRW 1,000,000 review fee, the coordinator fee, and the hospital's medical costs (including tests such as PET-CT) are each separate line items, and they are itemized separately for you in the estimate.

Sources and notes

• This article was written based on notes covering prostate cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, robotic surgery, and frequently asked questions (National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023, National Cancer Center Korea; NCCN patient guidelines; cost information confirmed on the site).
• This content is intended to provide general medical information, and actual diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on an individual's condition. Accurate diagnosis and treatment should always be determined through consultation with a medical professional.