Radiologists across the country are observing a possible side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine: swelling in the lymph nodes under the armpit that appear on mammograms.
Lymph nodes exist in various regions of the body, including the neck, groin, and armpits, and swell in the presence of bacteria, infections, or sometimes cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Normally, an enlarged lymph node in the armpit region would warrant a biopsy of breast tissue, as it may be an indicator of breast cancer starting to spread, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation; however, radiologists state that they should be expected to occur after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and that they do not normally worry.
In most patients, evidence of swollen lymph nodes after vaccination usually does not warrant additional action unless inflammation persists or other health problems can be at stake, according to a recent statement from Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted in their reports on the Modern and Pfizer vaccine that inflammation of the lymph nodes was “plausibly related to the vaccine” and that it was common in the arm and neck two regions. or four days after vaccination. The swelling tends to last an average of one to two days for Moderna and about 10 days for Pfizer.
Massachusetts General Hospital warned that radiologists would likely experience an increase in the number of lymph nodes increased during mammograms as vaccination efforts increase nationwide.
Constance Lehman, head of breast imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, told the New York Times that she is happy to spread the news of this fact to help relax people.
“I am particularly eager to get the word out to all patients undergoing surveillance after successful previous cancer treatment,” he said.