From next month, the Oncology Radiotherapy Unit of the Mater Salutis hospital in Legnago, the first in Veneto, will eliminate the need for tattoos for breast radiotherapywhich traditionally serve as fixed reference points to allow technicians to precisely position the patient during each treatment session.
An important innovation made possible by recent technological advances and the introduction of radiotherapy systems guided by the body surface and radiological images, which allow us to eliminate the need for tattoos without compromising the accuracy of the treatment. Specifically, the new system Sentinel and Catalyst adopted by Ulss 9 Scaligera offers the possibility of reconstructing the patient’s 3D surface in real time and identifying reference points without the need for permanent marks on the patient’s skin.
«This evolution – explains Dr. Francesco Fiorica, Director of the Oncology Radiotherapy UOC of Mater Salutis – represents a significant step forward in improving the overall patient experience during radiotherapy treatment. Eliminating the need for tattoos not only reduces patients’ anxiety and discomfort, but it can also help preserve their self-esteem and quality of life during and after treatment. Additionally, removing tattoos reduces the risk of complications, such as skin reactions, infections or irritation, which may occur at the site of marking. This – concludes Doctor Fiorica – not only improves the patient’s well-being, but can also contribute to a quicker and complication-free recovery.”
