New Research Warns Tattoos May Increase Cancer Risk as Ink Migrates to Lymph Nodes

The AHA! Team — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 05:03:06 +0000

Cassie B. via Natural News – New research links tattoos to a higher risk of cancer, as ink migrates to lymph nodes, potentially causing chronic inflammation and abnormal cell growth. Swedish and Danish studies found tattooed individuals had increased lymphoma and skin cancer risks, with early tattoos and large designs showing the strongest associations. Black and colored inks contain harmful chemicals, including carcinogens and toxic metals, with red ink posing additional risks when exposed to sunlight or laser removal. Laser tattoo removal may worsen the danger by breaking down ink into more toxic byproducts, tripling lymphoma risk in some cases. Experts urge vigilance for skin changes in tattooed areas and call for stricter ink regulations while emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices to mitigate risks. Self-expression through body art In an era where self-expression through body art has become mainstream, shocking new research suggests that tattoos may carry a hidden danger: a significantly increased risk of cancer. Recent studies from Sweden and Denmark reveal that tattoo ink doesn’t just stay in the skin; it migrates through the body, accumulating in lymph nodes and potentially triggering chronic inflammation that could lead to lymphoma and skin cancer. With millions of inked individuals worldwide, these findings raise urgent questions about the long-term safety of what many consider harmless self-expression. The science behind the risk When tattoo needles deposit ink into the dermis—the skin’s deeper layer—the body’s immune system perceives the foreign particles as a threat. According to Christel Nielsen, lead author of a 2024 Swedish study, “a significant portion of the injected ink is transported away from the skin by the immune system.” This process sends pigment particles to lymph nodes, where they may linger for years, disrupting immune function and potentially fueling abnormal cell growth. The Swedish study found that 21% of malignant lymphoma patients had tattoos, compared to just 17% of controls. Most alarmingly, those who got their first tattoo within two years of diagnosis faced an 81% higher lymphoma risk. Meanwhile, Danish researchers analyzing twin data discovered that individuals with large tattoos (bigger than palm-sized) had nearly three times the risk of lymphoma and 2.37 times the risk of skin cancer. Size and color matter While the Swedish study found no clear link between tattoo size and cancer risk, Danish researchers observed a dose-response relationship. “The bigger the tattoo and the longer it has been there, the more ink accumulates in the lymph nodes,” explained Signe Bedsted Clemmensen, assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark. Black ink, often containing carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was particularly concerning, with black or grey tattoos associated with a 23-32% higher lymphoma risk. Colored inks pose their own dangers, as they may contain toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium. Red ink, notorious for allergic reactions, can release harmful compounds when exposed to sunlight or laser removal. “Current regulations on tattoo ink ingredients are not sufficient,” warned dermatologist Dr. Trisha Khanna. Laser removal may worsen the problem For those considering tattoo removal, the risks might not end there. The Swedish study found that laser-treated tattoos were associated with triple the lymphoma risk. Laser breakdown of ink chemicals, particularly azo compounds, can release even more toxic byproducts into the body. How to protect yourself For already-tattooed individuals, experts emphasize vigilance. Persistent redness, itching, or unusual skin changes within inked areas should prompt immediate dermatological evaluation. “The best thing we can do for our health, tattoos or not, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Nielsen advised, endorsing plant-rich diets linked to lower cancer rates. As tattoo culture thrives, these studies underscore the need for greater transparency about ink ingredients and long-term health impacts. While personal choice remains paramount, informed consent requires acknowledging emerging risks—something the body art industry and regulators can no longer ignore. For now, people considering getting a tattoo need to know that permanent ink may come with permanent consequences. As researchers continue investigating, consumers deserve full disclosure about what’s really under their skin. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com StudyFinds.org SciTechDaily.com New.Sky.com To read the original article, click here

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The Fight Goes On: Clinical Trial Shows Promising New Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer

AHA Publisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 07:00:26 +0000

Nagoya University via EurekAlert – Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). It has many subtypes. A rare subtype, called intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (or IVLBCL) is notably hard to diagnose accurately because the cancerous lymphocytes grow inside small blood vessels, instead of at lymph nodes, and there is no perceptible swelling/enlargement of lymph nodes. There is also no effective treatment: the disease tends to affect the elderly, for whom standard high-dose chemotherapy may have serious side-effects, and patients are at a high risk of developing subsequent central nervous system (CNS) disorders even with treatment. A novel treatment protocol with fewer side-effects and which also tackles secondary CNS involvement is needed, and this is exactly what a group of scientists, led by researchers from Nagoya University and Mie University, Japan, attempted to test in a new clinical trial. All of this being said, however, the rarity of this disease has made testing new combinations of drugs difficult. A previous “retrospective” study involving the analysis of medical records of patients who had undergone standard chemotherapy combined with a drug called “rituximab” showed that this line of treatment is more promising than standard treatment alone, but it does not solve the problem of secondary CNS involvement. “We considered that rituximab-containing chemotherapies combined with treatment for the secondary CNS problems could lead to further improvement in the clinical outcome,” remarks Dr Kazuyuki Shimada of Nagoya University. With this consideration, Dr Shimada and team conducted a Phase 2 multicenter clinical trial, where they administered their proposed treatment to 38 enrolled patients (aged 20 to 79 years and without CNS disorders at the time of cancer diagnosis) and monitored their conditions over the long term. The results are published in their paper in The Lancet Oncology Overall, their treatment protocol appears to be promising: 76% of the enrolled patients reached the primary goal of two-year survival without disease progression and 92% reached two-year overall survival. The disease affected the CNS in only 3% of patients. What’s more, the toxicity of the treatment was found to be low, and all adverse effects were manageable, with very few serious complications. Aptly summarizing their achievement, Dr Shimada says: “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ‘prospective’ trial of any treatment in patients with IVLBCL. It appears that the proposed treatment protocol might be effective in patients without apparent central nervous system involvement at the time of diagnosis.” An important advantage of the proposed treatment protocol is that it employs a combination of conventional drugs and uses no novel agents. This means that although further study is necessary, this protocol can be adopted in clinical practice in the very near future. As Dr Shimada explains: “Given the rarity of this disease, a large-scale Phase 3 prospective trial is not feasible. In such a scenario, the results of our trial provide a safe and effective treatment option that can function as a historic control for future prospective trials.” The findings of this clinical trial are certainly quite promising. With only minor refinements to the proposed treatment protocol, patients with IVLBCL could have an edge in their fight against cancer. To read the original article click here.

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New Research Warns Tattoos May Increase Cancer Risk as Ink Migrates to Lymph Nodes

The Fight Goes On: Clinical Trial Shows Promising New Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer