According to the American Cancer Society, about 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2022.
Diagnosis is just the initial step. The individual patient will work with their expert care team to establish a treatment plan and begin receiving treatments to combat cancer. Sometimes a treatment plan will combine more than one approach (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery) to achieve the best possible outcome. A standard recommendation for treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall.
What many people might not realize, though, is that radiographers (sometimes called a radiotherapist) often use small permanent black ink tattoos to line up the radiotherapy machine for each treatment. This ensures that they treat the same area each time. While these tattoos are small (about one to two millimeters in diameter), they are permanent. The patient will have these tattoos for the rest of their lives, long after any surgical scars have faded.
But a new technique, called surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT), enhances radiation quality and precision during treatment. It eliminates the need for marks or permanent tattoos on the patient’s body. This technique shortens setup and usage time with quicker and more accurate patient positioning using SGRT, streamlining daily treatments.
How SGRT Works
Surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) delivers radiation with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency using 3-dimensional stereo camera units and skin surface tracking to detect slight movements. Radiation is delivered using a machine known as a linear accelerator (linac) per the recommended treatment plan. The radiation beams automatically pause in situations where the patient shifts during treatment to ensure the protection of the surrounding healthy tissues.
The Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Tattoo Free Treatment
The use of permanent tattoos during targeted radiation therapy can be a concern to some patients and may impact the individual’s body image in the longer term. Some women liken the marks to lack of choice, disempowerment, and a loss of control. The marks can serve as a lasting reminder that what they experienced was not a minor health event but something more traumatic, something that required a permanent spot as a reminder and marker of the enormity of the cancer condition.
Naples Breast Cancer Team
At GenesisCare, radiation oncologists use a range of radiation therapies to destroy cancer cells and spare healthy tissue. Your cancer care team will work with you to choose the right treatment method based on your cancer type and health situation.
Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles
Breast Surgeon
Dr. Chaundre K. Cross
Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Tiffany Davis-Garcia
General Surgeon
Dr. Mark A. Liberman
General Surgeon
Dr. Adam I. Riker
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Sonal Sura
Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Justin D. Warner
General Surgeon
GLOBAL LEADERS IN CANCER CARE
Across the world, GenesisCare has more than 440 centers offering the latest approaches to cancer care, including modern technology and novel therapies. With more than 5,000 highly trained healthcare professionals and support staff globally, GenesisCare’s mission is to deliver exceptional treatment and care that enhances every aspect of your cancer journey.
Care that’s designed to fit around you and your life—care that treats you, not just your condition.
Our dedicated healthcare professionals are committed to finding new and innovative ways to provide attentive care. To learn more about GenesisCare, call (833) FOR-MYGC or visit genesiscare.com/us.