Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
05:30
Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Remnant Gastric Cancer
Published on: October 31, 2025
Understanding Patient Perspectives on Radiation Tattoos.
Bonnie Hu1, Anurag Saraf2, Andrew Johnson1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Advances in Radiation Oncology
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Radiation tattoos cause distress for cancer patients, especially younger ones or those unaware of their purpose. Future interventions should improve patient education and consider alternatives to permanent tattoos for radiation therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Permanent skin-based tattoos are standard for radiation therapy (RT) alignment.
- Prior research indicates these tattoos can cause emotional distress in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey patients who received radiation tattoos to understand their perspectives and attitudes.
- To identify factors associated with distress caused by radiation tattoos.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 300 patients with radiation tattoos.
- The survey queried understanding of tattoo purpose and experienced distress levels.
Main Results:
- 20% of patients reported distress from radiation tattoos.
- Younger age and lack of understanding the tattoo's purpose were linked to distress.
- One-quarter of patients were unaware they would receive tattoos before radiation planning.
Conclusions:
- Radiation tattoos cause distress for a significant minority of cancer patients.
- Younger patients and those uninformed about tattoo purpose are most affected.
- Interventions should focus on patient education and exploring alternatives to permanent tattoos for RT.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Radiological investigations are paramount in the diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases. Two essential investigations are the Pulmonary Angiogram and the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...