From the Research
There is an increased risk of lymphoma in individuals with tattoos, as suggested by the most recent and highest quality study. The study published in 2025 in the journal BMC Public Health 1 found that tattoo ink exposure is associated with an increased hazard of lymphoma and skin cancers. The study, which used a twin cohort and case-cotwin design, found that the hazard ratio for lymphoma was 2.73 (95% CI: 1.33-5.60) among tattooed individuals. This study provides the most recent and highest quality evidence on the topic, and its findings suggest that tattoo ink exposure may be a risk factor for lymphoma.
Key Findings
- The study found an increased hazard of lymphoma and skin cancers among tattooed individuals 1.
- The hazard ratio for lymphoma was 2.73 (95% CI: 1.33-5.60) among tattooed individuals 1.
- The study used a twin cohort and case-cotwin design to control for confounding variables 1.
- The findings suggest that tattoo ink exposure may be a risk factor for lymphoma, particularly for tattoos larger than the palm of a hand 1.
Clinical Implications
- Individuals with tattoos should be aware of the potential increased risk of lymphoma and skin cancers 1.
- Healthcare providers should consider the potential risks associated with tattoo ink exposure when evaluating patients with lymphoma or skin cancers 1.
- Further studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between tattoo ink exposure and lymphoma risk 1.
Limitations
- The study had a limited sample size and was conducted in a specific population (Danish twins) 1.
- The study relied on self-reported data and may be subject to biases and errors 1.
- Further research is needed to confirm the findings and establish a causal relationship between tattoo ink exposure and lymphoma risk 1.