Ipsilateral Malignant Axillary Lymphadenopathy and Contralateral Reactive Lymph Nodes in a COVID-19Vaccine Recipient With Breast Cancer
- Author:
Mehmet Emin ADIN
1
;
Jennifer WU
;
Edvin ISUFI
;
Edison TSUI
;
Darko PUCAR
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer 2022;25(2):140-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Vaccine-related axillary nodal enlargement is a common benign condition that many mRNA vaccine receivers experience. However, a false attribution of axillary swelling to vaccination may result in delay in cancer care and potential disease progression, particularly in breast cancer patients presenting with ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. We report the case of a 41-year-old pre-menopausal female who presented with suspicious axillary nodal enlargement and a right breast lump (triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma) after recent administration of the second dose of Moderna mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. On imaging, bilateral axillary lymph nodes were detected. The ipsilateral rightsided node was proven to be metastatic, whereas contralateral nodes were related to a recent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Right-sided lymph node had intense uptake (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax] = 5), while the contralateral reactive nodes were mildly avid (SUVmax = 2.6). On magnetic resonance imaging, the right-sided node revealed asymmetric cortical thickening and marked cortical enhancement as opposed to normalappearing left-sided nodes.
