Astro Journals

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, reviews a paper from the November/December issue of PRO, "A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Use of Conventional Dark-Ink Tattoo and Ultraviolet-Ink Tattoo for Patients Undergoing Breast Radiation Therapy." The term "Dark Ink" refers the standard tattoo that is visible on the skin in normal light conditions and permanent-meaning the tattoo remains visible for many years. The use of visible tattoos is still standard practice in many departments, but it has negative psychological effects in some patients and is difficulty to visualize in patients with very dark skin. The paper that Dr. Amdur reviews presents the results of study using tattoo ink that is only visible with Ultraviolet light. The tattoo material used in the study is widely available, inexpensive and easy to apply. Check out the podcast page: https://www.practicalradonc.org/content/podcast