Unusual neon pink color change in a radiotherapy tattoo
Abstract
Medical radiation tattoos are commonly used as guiding markers for treatment and recurrence monitoring.1 The tattoos are most commonly black or dark blue in color and are thought to be relatively inert over time.2,3 We report the case of a patient with a radiation tattoo demonstrating an unusual change in color from black to neon pink, a previously unreported phenomenon with multiple possible etiologies. As cancer survivorship increases with advances in cancer therapies, dermatologists must be cognizant of sequelae of cancer therapies, including radiation tattoos and their possible sequelae.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques
Chemotherapy-related skin toxicity
Tattoo and Body Piercing Complications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- JAAD Case Reports
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 73
- Pages
- 4–6
- Publication date
- 17 April 2026
- Language
- EN