Is there a link between tattoos and cancer?
The popularity of tattoos has increased, especially among young adults, but new research suggests the artwork may leave more than a lasting impression.
A recent large study published in eClinicalMedicine found people with tattoos were 21% more likely to develop malignant lymphoma than people without ink. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates from the part of the immune system responsible for fighting infections.
The same paper, which analyzed nearly 12,000 adults aged 20 to 60, is the first population-based investigation of tattooing itself – not needle infection or other factors – as a possible risk factor for blood cancer.
“Your immune system treats tattoo pigment like a foreign invader,” says Dr. Andrew McDonald, a hematologist & oncologist at Advocate Health Care. “Most people clear the debris without incident, but some may develop chronic, low-grade inflammation that raises the chance of cellular mistakes we call cancer.”
In the U.S., tattoo pigments are classified as cosmetics, meaning the Food and Drug Administration does not approve them before they reach the market.
While lymphoma grabs headlines, dermatologists point to a growing stack of reports tying tattoos to cancers that start in the skin itself.
A 2024 systematic review in JAAD International tallied 160 cases of tumors – including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma – arising inside tattoos.
Most evidence so far comes from isolated case studies, not broad epidemiologic trials. Yet many reports echo a similar pattern: aggressive cancers hiding in or near darker inks.
“Look for any raised bumps, new moles or patches that itch or bleed inside the ink,” Dr. McDonald adds. “And if a nearby lymph node swells or stays tender, see your doctor. Early detection gives people the best shot at a cure.”
If you decide to get a tattoo, experts recommend vetting tattoo studios for state licensure, sterile technique and single-use needles.
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