Skin cancers arising within tattoos: A systematic review
Jamie Lebhar1, Jennifer Jacobs1, Chandler Rundle2
1Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
JAAD International
|July 3, 2024
Summary
The number of published skin cancer cases within tattoos is increasing. Most tumors occurred in red tattoo pigment, primarily squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma, highlighting a need for public awareness.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Tattooing is a popular practice with increasing prevalence.
- Malignant tumors have been documented in relation to tattoos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the trend in published cases of skin cancer within tattoos over time.
- To analyze the characteristics of cutaneous tumors associated with tattoos.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Scopus databases from inception to February 2023.
- No restrictions on data or publication dates were applied.
Main Results:
- Identified 160 cases of cutaneous tumors arising within tattoos.
- Observed a significant increase in the number of published cases over time.
- Squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma were the most common tumor types, predominantly in red tattoo pigment (36.9%).
Conclusions:
- Continued reporting of cutaneous malignancies in tattoos is crucial given the rise in tattoo popularity.
- Public awareness regarding the frequency and potential severity of tattoo-associated tumors should be enhanced.
