COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy in breast cancer patients: Case series with a review of literature

COVID-19 vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy: a review

Following the introduction of RNA-based vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine-associated clinical lymphadenopathy (C19-LAP) has been reported as a side effect. Moreover, subclinical lymphadenopathy detected on imaging (SLDI) has also been observed, mainly as incidental findings while performing screening tests on oncological patients. In these cases, surgical lymphadenectomy, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB) have been used as a valuable diagnostic tool for SLDI and C19-LAP. In this review the clinical, histologic and cytologic features of SLDI and C19-LAP have been investigated. A search for studies that reported on C19-LAP and SLDI histopathology and cytopathology was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar, on 11 January 2023. Thirty-one reports on SLDI and C19-LAP were retrieved and included in a pooled analysis. In total, we included 54 patients with a median age of 47 years. In our research, surgical excision, CNB and/or FNAC of C19-LAP or SLDI enlarged lymph nodes have been performed in 54 cases. Of all cases, only two metastases were diagnosed and one case was diagnosed as reactive hyperplasia with atypical follicles. The remaining cases were reactive lymphadenopathy (28 cases), follicular hyperplasia (13 cases), Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (6 cases), granulomatous lymphadenitis (2 cases), eosinophilic lymph node abscesses (1 case), Langherans cell histiocytosis (1 case), Rosai-Dorfman disease (1 case). SLDI and C19-LAP have represented a diagnostic dilemma, especially in oncologic patients. The role of different diagnostic tools for SLDI and C19-LAP has been discussed.

Analysis of clinical factors and ultrasound features associated with COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy: A large group study

PURPOSE

To investigate factors that distinguish COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy from malignancy or other etiologies.

METHODS

From June 2021 to April 2022, 3859 consecutive female patients had breast and axillary ultrasound (US) at our institution. After exclusions, 592 patients were included in the study. We retrospectively reviewed clinical history and US features of enlarged axillary lymph nodes. Assessed clinical factors included age, vaccination type, dose and vaccination date, and ultrasound features included cortical thickness, shape, marginal irregularity, focal cortical thickening, fatty hilum, and number and anatomic location of enlarged lymph nodes. The seven US features were used to score the severity of lymphadenopathy. Binary logistic models and independent two-sample t-tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among 592 patients (mean age 49.3 ± 10.3 years), 406(68.6%), 90(15.2%), 42(7.1), 4(0.7%) and 50(8.4%) patients received Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Janssen and cross inoculation of more than one type, respectively. 185(31.3%), 376(63.5%) and 31(5.2%) patients received a first, second and third dose, respectively. The interval between vaccination and US was 30.9 ± 21.5 days. US showed axillary lymphadenopathy (LAP) in 113 patients (19.1%). Clinical factors associated with LAP were age younger than 50 years, mRNA vaccine, first dose and shorter interval(P < 0.05). US features associated with LAP were mean cortical thickness of 4.6 ± 1.63 mm, oval shape (70.8%), smooth margin (53.1%), focal cortical thickening (62.8%) and preserved fatty hilum (84.1%). Using our scoring method, the mean overall score for vaccine-related LAP was 2.45 ± 1.51 points.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of influencing factors and sonographic features can help differentiate COVID-19 vaccine-related adenopathy from other etiologies.

COVID-19 post-vaccination lymphadenopathy: A review of the use of fine needle aspiration cytology

COVID-19 vaccine-associated clinical lymphadenopathy (C19-LAP) and subclinical lymphadenopathy (SLDI), which are mainly detected by 18F-FDG PET-CT, have been observed after the introduction of RNA-based vaccines during the pandemic. Lymph node (LN) fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been used to diagnose single cases or small series of SLDI and C19-LAP. In this review, clinical and LN-FNAC features of SLDI and C19-LAP are reported and compared to non-Covid (NC)-LAP. A search for studies on C19-LAP and SLDI histopathology and cytopathology was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar, on 11 January 2023. Reports on LN-FNAC of C19-LAP were retrieved. A total of 14 reports, plus one unpublished case of C19-LAP observed in our institution, diagnosed by LN-FNAC were included in a pooled analysis and compared to the corresponding histopathological reports. In total, 26 cases were included in this review, with a mean age of 50.5 years. Twenty-one lymphadenopathies assessed by LN-FNAC were diagnosed as benign, and three cases as atypical lymphoid hyperplasia; the latter were subsequently confirmed as benign (one by repetition of LN-FNAC, two by histological control). One case of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in a patient suffering from melanoma was reported as reactive granulomatous inflammation, while one unsuspected case was diagnosed as metastasis from melanoma. In all cases, the cytological diagnoses were confirmed by follow-up or excisional biopsy. The high diagnostic value of LN-FNAC in excluding malignant processes was extremely useful in this context and may be particularly valuable when CNB or histological excisions are difficult to perform, as was the case during Covid lockdowns.

Detection of axillary lymphadenopathy after Covid-19 vaccination during breast examination: Case series and review of the literature after one year

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate accidental findings of axillary lymphadenopathy during breast examination. Postvaccination axillary lymphadenopathy is a possible cause of adenopathies but these findings used to be exceedingly rare. Nowadays, after Covid-19 vaccination it is found more often. Covid-19 vaccination started at the end of December 2020 with two types of vaccine, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech in the Czech Republic. The aim of this article is to present a single centre experience with Covid-19 lymphadenopathy during the general vaccination in the Czech population and summarization of recommendations.

METHODS

In January to February 2021 ultrasound revealed axillary lymphadenopathy in several patients during breast examination in our certified centre. In four of them it was concluded as lymphadenopathy after Covid-19 vaccination. A search (using databases PubMed and Google Scholar) of the available literature for the years 2020 and 2021 was performed.

RESULTS

These four patients were examined during the first two months of 2021. In all of them pathological lymph nodes with typical sonographic signs were seen in the ipsilateral axilla. We searched the literature for follow-up recommendations and summarized them in our article.

CONCLUSION

Accidental findings of axillary lymphadenopathy during ultrasound breast examination will be more often. There will be more cases of lymphadenopathy with an increasing number of people being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Atypical follicular hyperplasia with light chain-restricted germinal centers after COVID-19 booster: a diagnostic pitfall

There has been a surge in COVID-19 vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy (LAD), including after the booster dose of vaccine. This can create diagnostic dilemmas in oncology patients as the relatively sudden LAD can mimic metastasis or cancer recurrence, at a risk of leading to additional but unnecessary anti-neoplastic therapy. Here we report the histopathologic features in a case of persistent LAD occurring in a patient with history of breast invasive ductal carcinoma which followed a COVID-19 vaccine booster. A needle core and then excisional biopsy showed atypical follicular hyperplasia with features that histologically and phenotypically could mimic follicular lymphoma, but the findings were ultimately interpreted to be reactive in nature and related temporally to COVID-19 vaccine. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an atypical lymphoproliferative lesion with features potentially mimicking lymphoma associated with COVID-19 vaccine.

Research trends and hotspots of breast cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic: A bibliometric analysis

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is disrupting routine medical care of cancer patients, including those who have cancer or are undergoing cancer screening. In this study, breast cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic (BCMP) is reviewed, and the research trends of BCMP are evaluated by quantitative and qualitative evaluation.

Methods

In this study, published studies relating to BCMP from 1 January 2020 to 1 April 2022 were searched from the Web of Science database (WoS). Bibliometric indicators consisted of publications, research hotspots, keywords, authors, journals, institutions, nations, and h-index.

Results

A total of 182 articles investigating BCMP were searched. The United States of America and the University of Rome Tor Vergata were the nation and the institution with the most publications on BCMP. The first three periodicals with leading published BCMP studies were Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, Breast, and In Vivo. Buonomo OC was the most prolific author in this field, publishing nine articles (9/182, 4.94%). The co-keywords analysis of BCMP suggests that the top hotspots and trends in research are screening, surgery, rehabilitation, emotion, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine management of breast cancer during the pandemic. The hotspot words were divided into six clusters, namely, screening for breast cancer patients in the pandemic, breast cancer surgery in the pandemic, recovery of breast cancer patients in the pandemic, motion effect of the outbreak on breast cancer patients, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer patients in the pandemic, and vaccination management for breast cancer patients during a pandemic.

Conclusion

BCMP has received attention from scholars in many nations over the last 3 years. This study revealed significant contributions to BCMP research by nations, institutions, scholars, and journals. The stratified clustering study provided the current status and future trends of BCMP to help physicians with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer through the pandemic, and provide a reference for in-depth clinical studies on BCMP.

Lymphedema of the Arm after COVID-19 Vaccination in a Patient with Hidden Breast Cancer and Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis

The pandemic outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to the development of mRNA vaccines. With the extensive vaccination campaign performed worldwide, many adverse reactions to these drugs have been reported in the literature. Although most of them are mild and self-limiting, they may sometimes cause psychological stress and require efforts to make a differential diagnosis with other conditions. This is the case of lymphadenopathies and lymphedema in patients with a history of cancer. Herein we present a case of lymphedema of the arm developed ten days after a VAXZEVRIA COVID-19 vaccine shot in a patient who had concomitant signs and symptoms compatible with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis. It was later classified as paraneoplastic as instrumental investigation revealed a breast carcinoma contralateral to the site of vaccine injection. With this report we ponder an adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccination with the aim of bringing new data for clinicians who face similar clinical presentations, particularly controversial for radiologists and oncologists.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Associated Lymphadenopathy in Breast Imaging Recipients: A Review of Literature

The unpredictability of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created an ongoing global healthcare crisis. Implementation of a mass vaccination program to accelerate disease control remains in progress. Although injection site soreness, fatigue, and fever are the most common adverse reactions reported after a COVID-19 vaccination, ipsilateral lymph node enlargement has increasingly been observed. In patients undergoing routine screening and surveillance for breast cancer, interpreting lymphadenopathy (LAP) is challenging in the setting of a recent COVID-19 vaccination. With a growing proportion of the population receiving the vaccine, a multifaceted approach is necessary to avoid unnecessary and costly workup. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the existing literature on COVID-19 vaccine-associated LAP in breast imaging patients.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Cancer

Simple Summary

Patients with cancer are concerned about the effects of the COVID-19 vaccination while authorities search for ways to encourage vaccination; however, many points are still unclear. To remedy this situation, we conducted an online survey of 1182 female patients with cancer. The results showed that 768 were concerned about the vaccine, and 726 consulted with their attending physicians about the vaccination. The results also showed significantly higher vaccination rates among the patients who had consulted with their physicians. We found that consulting with attending physicians appeared to be linked to reduced anxiety, decisions about the timing of the vaccination, and higher vaccination rates. This was corroborated by the result of the cross-analysis of vaccination status and information sources about the vaccination. Therefore, we concluded that consulting with a physician about vaccination alleviates the concerns of patients with cancer and encourages them to get vaccinated.

Abstract

Patients with cancer are concerned about the effects of the COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted an online survey on the COVID-19 vaccination status and side effects among patients with cancer in Japan between 8 and 14 August 2021. We included 1182 female patients with cancer aged 20–70 years and registered on an online patient website. Of the patients, 944 had breast cancer, 216 had gynecological cancer, 798 were undergoing drug/radiation therapy, and 370 were in follow-up. At the time of the survey, 885 patients had already received at least one dose. Of these, 580 had also received their second dose. The incidence rate of side effects was equivalent to previous reports. In patients with breast cancer, problems such as the onset or worsening of lymphedema or axillary lymphadenopathy metastasis requiring differential diagnosis were encountered following vaccination. A total of 768 patients were concerned about the vaccine at some point, and 726 consulted with their attending physicians about the timing or side effects of the vaccination. Of the 110 patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, 75 adjusted the timing of the vaccination based on their therapy. The cross-analysis revealed that 81% of those who consulted their physician had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination compared with 65% of those who had not consulted their physician. Consulting with a physician about the COVID-19 vaccination was found to alleviate the concerns of patients with cancer and encourage them to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine-induced lymphadenopathies: incidence, course and imaging features from an ultrasound prospective study

Aims

lymphadenopathy can occur after COVID-19 vaccination and when encountered at ultrasound examinations performed for other reasons might pose a diagnostic challenge. Purpose of the study was to evaluate the incidence, course and ultrasound imaging features of vaccine-induced lymphadenopathy.

Methods

89 healthy volunteers (median age 30, 76 females) were prospectively enrolled. Vaccine-related clinical side effects (e.g., fever, fatigue, palpable or painful lymphadenopathy) were recorded. Participants underwent bilateral axillary, supraclavicular and cervical lymph node stations ultrasound 1–4 weeks after the second dose and then again after 4–12 weeks in those who showed lymphadenopathy at the first ultrasound. B-mode, color-Doppler assessment, and shear-wave elastography (SWE) evaluation were performed. The correlation between lymphadenopathy and vaccine-related side effects was assessed using the Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Post-vaccine lymphadenopathy were found in 69/89 (78%) participants (37 single and 32 multiple lymphadenopathy). Among them, 60 presented vaccine-related side effects, but no statistically significant difference was observed between post-vaccine side effect and lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound features of vaccine-related lymphadenopathy consisted of absence of fatty hilum, round shape and diffuse or asymmetric cortical thickness (median cortical thickness of 5 mm). Vascular signal was mainly found to be increased, localized in both central and peripheral regions. SWE showed a soft cortical consistence in all cases (median value 11 Kpa). At follow-up, lymph-node morphology was completely restored in most cases (54/69, 78%) and in no case lymphadenopathy had worsened.

Conclusion

A high incidence of vaccine-induced lymphadenopathy was found in a population of healthy subjects, with nearly complete regression within 4–12 weeks.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40477-022-00674-3.