Hundreds of patients receive tattoo-free radiotherapy treatment

Over 1,000 breast cancer patients at a hospital in Derby have been treated under a new scheme which does not use permanent skin markings.

Tattoos are commonly used before radiotherapy to ensure accuracy.  However, the Royal Derby Hospital is using a new technique called Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) which does not leave permanent markings.

The technology uses thermal cameras to map out an image of the surface of the patient’s skin prior to treatment, so that the radiation can be directed into the correct areas.

Since July 2021, 1,200 breast cancer patients have been treated with the system and since January 2023, around 100 patients with oesophageal and lung cancer.  The hospital is now hoping to extend the service to patients with head and neck cancer.

Radiotherapy is the use of radiation to destroy cancer cells.  It is delivered as high-energy x-rays over a course of treatment, involving numerous sessions.  Targeted in the correct area, it kills cancer cells.  It also destroys healthy cells, but these are able to recover and regenerate.  The radiotherapy has to be aimed at exactly the right place which is where the tattoos often come in.

Most patients will have between one and five permanent pinpoint tattoo marks made on the skin.

The Royal Derby is only one of a handful of NHS hospital trusts using the new technology.

Sue Marriott, radiotherapy service manager at the hospital, said “We are so grateful we have been able to introduce the system at Derby.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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