While undergoing radiation therapy the patient is marked of the area, where the radiations have to be given. As the treatment has to last for 5-6 weeks, temporary mark with skin marking pens or paints is useless, as they are washed off with water. This misled the therapist of where to give the radiations. Also because Radiation Therapy treatments requires consistent and accurate marks. So, tattooing is the best way to have marks on the skin. The tattoo consists of putting a dot of ink under the skin, often smaller than a freckle, which, in most cases, would not be seen by anyone other than the patient who knows that they are there or the therapist. This is another reason some patients opt for tattoos.

Therefore, many departments have found that using small tattoos to mark the most important points of the treatment area has become an invaluable tool for the therapist. For many patients the thought of being stuck with a needle, again, usually after having been stuck for so many other tests and for Chemotherapy, is a very difficult decision. In all honesty, yes, there is a small amount of pain involved. It is minimal however compared with other needle sticks. The therapist uses the smallest needle she can to lift the top layer of the skin only and places a drop of ink under it. There is no deep penetration of the skin or body involved.

Are the tattoos permanent?

Unfortunately, these tattoos are permanent. But it has many benefits also, as in extreme cases of cancer, they provide a history of the patient’s treatment areas to future providers of care. This allows other departments in other hospitals the ability to locate quickly a previous treatment area so that it is not duplicated by their treatment. This helps physicians and therapists to provide emergency care if it is needed should the patient come from another Radiation Therapy facility.

But the tattoos are not necessary. It is your choice to have tattoos or not. When the therapist or the physician asks you, take the time to think about tattoos.