United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust eliminates use of permanent tattoos for radiotherapy patients

A hospital trust has made a ‘huge step forward’ in radiotherapy by eliminating the use of permanent tattoos for treatment.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has transitioned all radiotherapy patients to surface-guided radiotherapy for their illnesses.

Before, radiotherapy patients were marked with three small tattoos to help radiographers align the patient’s body accurately during treatment, but with the surface-guided method, 3D camera technology is used instead.

While the tattoo method was effective, the permanent ink left over served as a constant reminder of a patient’s illness, even after their treatment was finished.

Jacob Curran, the SABR and motion management radiographer who led the project, said: “It’s difficult to explain what a difference the tattoo-less treatment makes unless you have experienced radiotherapy, but it’s a huge step forward for us as a trust and is without a doubt the future of radiotherapy.”

The team has also become the first trust in the country to offer open mask treatment with surface-guided radiotherapy for all head and neck patients.

Traditionally, patients undergoing radiotherapy are fitted with tight, restrictive masks that cover their whole face, and around 25% of people experience moderate to severe distress or mask anxiety with it.

At Lincoln County Hospital, patients are now fitted with a mask that has an open front, covering just their chin and forehead which allows patients to breathe more easily and reduces anxiety and distress and is particularly helpful with claustrophobia.

Paula Brown, radiotherapy services manager, said: “The first time we tried this it was born out of necessity for the patient, but we quickly realised the results were just as accurate with an open mask.”

In 2024 the hospital stopped using closed masks altogether, which helped patients like 73-year-old Christine Doughty from Gainsborough, who received radiotherapy at the hospital after a tumour was found on her gum.

Christine said: “I’m so pleased I could have the open mask, I think a full mask would have made me panic.

“The new masks are really comfortable and I could breathe and talk normally - it definitely made the experience a lot better.
“I had 30 rounds of radiotherapy and have been given the all-clear now.

“I’m so thrilled with the treatment and the outcome and being able to celebrate with my family has been wonderful.”

The team hopes to set a new standard for radiotherapy departments across the country and is working with other NHS trusts to make this a reality.