The Challenge of Staging Breast Cancer With PET/CT in the Era of COVID Vaccination
Adam Brown, Shah Sweni, Ashley M. Groves, Simon Wan, Anmol Malhotra
Abstract
ABSTRACT: We report a case series of biopsy-proven reactive axillary lymph nodes, which were avid on FDG PET/CT in breast cancer patients post COVID-19 vaccination. With 4 cases presenting in a consecutive 10-day period, it became apparent that metabolically active axillary lymphadenopathy is an adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccines, currently being deployed worldwide. This may lead to patients undergoing unnecessary biopsy. We have started taking a COVID-19 vaccine status history before PET/CT. If enlarged/metabolically active axillary nodes are identified in the ipsilateral vaccinated arm, then axillary ultrasound at 4 weeks is suggested.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Breast cancer2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)VaccinationPET-CTPositron emission tomographyOncologyRadiologyCancerMedical physicsInternal medicineVirologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseOutbreakLymphadenopathy Diagnosis and AnalysisCutaneous Melanoma Detection and ManagementBreast Lesions and Carcinomas