Emily
Editor, Senior Moderator
https://www.cureus.com/articles/798...r-astra-zeneca-covid-19-vaccine-a-case-series
Marples R, Douglas C, Xavier J, et al. (January 22, 2022) Breast Radiation Recall Phenomenon After Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Series. Cureus 14(1): e21499. doi:10.7759/cureus.21499
Abstract
We report three cases of AstraZeneca vaccine (AZV)-induced radiation recall phenomenon (RRP) in three women who had previously undergone radiotherapy for breast cancer. RRP is a rare complication of vaccination that can mimic the more common pathology of breast cellulitis. Emergency physicians, primary care specialists, and surgeons should be aware of RRP when treating patients in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climate.
Introduction
In the Breast and Endocrine Surgery department at South East Regional Hospital, New South Wales, we observed three women with the diagnosis of grade one-two radiation recall phenomenon (RRP) after receiving a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine (AZV). All three women had undergone breast surgery and radiation therapy for cancer in the preceding year, and all were in remission at the time of writing. RRP is a rare, self-limiting pathology whereby breast tissue undergoes a latent reactivation, causing a painful dermatitic rash in the field of previously irradiated tissue, regardless of the arm-injection site for the vaccine. The cases were significant due to all being initially confused with the more commonly seen cellulitis of the breast, which was ruled out on further clinical examination and investigation, leading to a diagnosis of RRP. This is an important first step in understanding vaccine side-effects for patients with significant comorbidities such as breast cancer, and the risk profile they carry for future vaccines.
Marples R, Douglas C, Xavier J, et al. (January 22, 2022) Breast Radiation Recall Phenomenon After Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Series. Cureus 14(1): e21499. doi:10.7759/cureus.21499
Abstract
We report three cases of AstraZeneca vaccine (AZV)-induced radiation recall phenomenon (RRP) in three women who had previously undergone radiotherapy for breast cancer. RRP is a rare complication of vaccination that can mimic the more common pathology of breast cellulitis. Emergency physicians, primary care specialists, and surgeons should be aware of RRP when treating patients in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climate.
Introduction
In the Breast and Endocrine Surgery department at South East Regional Hospital, New South Wales, we observed three women with the diagnosis of grade one-two radiation recall phenomenon (RRP) after receiving a single dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine (AZV). All three women had undergone breast surgery and radiation therapy for cancer in the preceding year, and all were in remission at the time of writing. RRP is a rare, self-limiting pathology whereby breast tissue undergoes a latent reactivation, causing a painful dermatitic rash in the field of previously irradiated tissue, regardless of the arm-injection site for the vaccine. The cases were significant due to all being initially confused with the more commonly seen cellulitis of the breast, which was ruled out on further clinical examination and investigation, leading to a diagnosis of RRP. This is an important first step in understanding vaccine side-effects for patients with significant comorbidities such as breast cancer, and the risk profile they carry for future vaccines.
