Study Finds Increased Risk of Malignant Lymphoma Closely Linked to Tattoos

In recent times, tattoos have gained popularity by becoming a common form of self-expression. However, new research suggests this trend might come with significant health risks. This comprehensive study were published in the Lancet eClinicalMedicine found a potential link between tattoo exposure and an increased risk of malignant lymphoma.

Tattoo inks often contain harmful chemicals like primary aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and various metals. These substances can be carcinogenic. The tattooing process itself triggers an immune response which causes the ink to migrate from the injection site to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes. While the deposition of tattoo pigment in lymph nodes has been documented, the long-term health implications remained unclear.

To explore the association between tattoos and malignant lymphoma, this study utilized data from Swedish National Authority Registers, which cover the entire population. The case–control study focused on individuals aged 20–60 years diagnosed with malignant lymphoma between 2007 and 2017, according to the Swedish National Cancer Register. For each case, three age- and sex-matched controls were randomly selected from the Total Population Register.

In 2021, researchers gathered information on tattoo exposure through a questionnaire and retrieved data on potential confounders from various registers. The study aimed to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of malignant lymphoma among tattooed individuals using multivariable logistic regression.

The study involved 11,905 participants, with a response rate of 54% among lymphoma cases (1,398 individuals) and 47% among controls (4,193 individuals). The results showed that 21% of lymphoma cases had tattoos compared to 18% of controls. Tattooed individuals exhibited a higher adjusted risk of developing overall lymphoma, with an IRR of 1.21.

Interestingly, the risk was most pronounced in individuals who received their first tattoo less than two years before the index year of this study, with an IRR of 1.81. For the individuals with tattoos for three to ten years, the risk decreased but rose again in individuals who had their first tattoo 11 or more years before the index year, with an IRR of 1.19. The study found no significant evidence that a larger tattooed body surface area increased lymphoma risk. Among different lymphoma subtypes, the risk appeared highest for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (IRR 1.30) and follicular lymphoma (IRR 1.29). Overall, these findings suggest a concerning association between tattoo exposure and malignant lymphoma, prompting a call for further epidemiologic research to establish a definitive causal link.

Reference:

Nielsen, C., Jerkeman, M., & Jöud, A. S. (2024). Tattoos as a risk factor for malignant lymphoma: a population-based case–control study. In eClinicalMedicine (Vol. 72, p. 102649). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102649