In the modern era of image-guided radiotherapy, tattoo marks are still is an important step in radiotherapy planning. These marks plays a crucial role during a course of radiotherapy to achieve reproducibility of treatment set-up and accuracy of treatment delivery.
However an accurate and reliable marking is only a gateway for desired radiation delivery. Concerns about tattoos include:
- Visibility
- Being permanent in nature
- Social-religious beliefs
- Mobility of skin
- A constant reminder of the diagnosis
At The London Clinic we offer a choice of whether to have the tattoos or not to patients who have been referred for radiotherapy to the breast.
Unlike other areas which like internally, the breast tissue lies externally, so the treatment target can be viewed visually prior to leaving the room and taking an image to verify the set up.
If you are referred for breast radiotherapy, the radiographer will explain the procedure to you and offer you a choice of the number of tattoos or to go tattooless.
