Covid-19 vaccine related axillary lymphadenopathy on breast cancer imaging

[Amity Island]

Breast screening appointments should be scheduled to take place before women receive a first dose of covid-19 vaccine or four to six weeks after the second dose when possible, the Drug Safety Research Unit has said.

The advice has been given because of the potential for the swelling of lymph nodes in one armpit (the side of the injection) following vaccination, which could be detected during routine breast screening and cause unnecessary concern.

Covid-19: Schedule breast screening before vaccine or 4 to 6 weeks after to avoid false positives, says guidance

Breast screening appointments should be scheduled to take place before women receive a first dose of covid-19 vaccine or four to six weeks after the second dose when possible, the Drug Safety Research Unit has said.1 The advice has been given because of the potential for the swelling of lymph...

www.bmj.com

 

[mikeyB]

The reason why that piece of information is just a tad over the top, is that lymphadenopathy after an immunisation must be as rare as hen's teeth, if not rarer. It's not even a cardinal symptom of Covid infection itself.

And that's before anyone can find a breast screening unit that's operating anyway.

 

[Amigo]

The reason why that piece of information is just a tad over the top, is that lymphadenopathy after an immunisation must be as rare as hen's teeth, if not rarer. It's not even a cardinal symptom of Covid infection itself.

And that's before anyone can find a breast screening unit that's operating anyway.

Seems to be more associated with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines than the AZ however Mike as borne out on cases we’ve had on the leukaemia site (more from American members). Of course we have greater tendency towards lymphadenopathy but even some women (and men) who don’t, have experienced golf ball sized lumps in the axillary area following vaccination. So we are following this advice except as you say, few people seem to be receiving routine mammograms. Nobody wants to be dragged back there in a panic about unexplained axillary adenopathy if it can be avoided.

 

[mikeyB]

Well, I don't know how panicked the radiographers will be if they see axillary lymphadenopathy in someone with no discernible breast pathology. Maybe they should just ask if the victim has had a Covid Jab. Or a septic finger.

 

[Robin]

Well, I don't know how panicked the radiographers will be if they see axillary lymphadenopathy in someone with no discernible breast pathology. Maybe they should just ask if the victim has had a Covid Jab. Or a septic finger.

Even if not panicked, presumably they’ll feel they have to call the person back for a second screening, which is a waste of resources if it could have been avoided by waiting a few weeks.