Tattoos after sentinel node biopsy?

ahahto, you certainly are not an idiot--good for you for thinking of the risk!

There's no "guarantee" you'll get lymphedema from a tattoo on an at-risk arm, but certainly it's a risk. Partly for the usual reasons. First, that any time you create trauma to a part of your body, the response of the body is to send loads of lymph fluid to the area (which is why injured areas swell), and this can overwhelm an already-compromised system. (The reason for the lymph fluid flood is that the lymph system is part of your immune system--it's there to intercept any bacteria and to carry off wounded or damaged cells.)

And second, anyone who has been treated for breast cancer is at risk for lymphedema, which can be present before any swelling is obvious (it's called Stage 0 lymphedema). That means there's stagnant lymph fluid in the area, and any skin break can introduce bacteria which will absolutely thrive in all that warm, protein-rich lymph fluid. In other words, infection risk is really high, and such an infection constitutes an emergency because it can spread and become systemic very quickly.

But with a tattoo there's more to think about, even if I don't know exactly what it means. It's this: tattoos result in a bit of the pigment straying off into the tissues. These bits get picked up by the lymph system and carried to any remaining nodes, where they never leave, because the lymph nodes can't break them down. There's no evidence that's particularly harmful (and no evidence that it's not either), but it's something to think about with a compromised lymph system.

And on the other hand, lots of women have gotten tattoos post breast cancer with apparently no adverse effects.

One of the really rotten things about lymphedema is that it's so hard to get any hard-and-fast advice. So, definitely, your call!

I'm so sorry about your Dad's passing. I trust you'll find a tribute to the love you have for him that is truly worry-free.

Be well!
Binney

I wanted to cover my MX scar with a tattoo also, but was advised against it, now that I have LE.  Especially since mine is mainly truncal.  

  It would be somewhat safer to have it on a different body quandrant that the one where you had the SNB.  Can you tattoo the other arm? Just a thought.    It is a risk, but as Binney said,, many women have had tatts since BC and have done OK with them.

I'm sorry about your dad.

Welcome to BCO ahahto, we're glad you found this great group of experienced people.

LE is a real risk and very problematic if it develops. IAs you know, doctors advise against blood draws or pressure cuff use on that arm so having a tattoo would seem a high risk option.

We are sorry about your dad but you should consider a different location to your at risk arm. Is it worth the gamble? Would your dad think so?

All the best

The Mods