Incidence of Tattoo-Associated Melanoma in the Netherlands (1991-2023): A Nationwide Registry Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Tattooing is an increasingly prevalent practice that is associated with various clinical complications. The carcinogenic potential of tattoo pigments remains unclear. While 45 case reports have described melanomas colocalizing with tattoos thus far, a pathogenetic link between tattoos and melanomas remains unproven. No nationwide epidemiological study has investigated the incidence of tattoo-associated melanoma (TAM). This study's objectives are to determine the incidence of TAM in the Netherlands from 1991 to 2023, analyse TAM characteristics and patient demographics, and compare these findings with melanoma data from the general Dutch population during the same period.

Methods

Data were obtained from the nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology

SUBMITTER: Karregat JJJP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716847 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature