![]() ![]() In most cases, no additional testing is needed for swollen lymph nodes after recent vaccinations - unless the swelling persists or if the individual has other health issues. If it was a two-dose vaccine, patients should share whether they most recently received the first or second shot. Lehman and her colleagues have since published journal articles on the topic and say it’s important for imaging centers to ask patients if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine, find out when it was injected and where it was administered in the body. "We were all thinking this was probably going to show up in all kinds of patients, not just ones coming in for a mammogram," she recalled, noting similar cases in a regular shoulder MRI and an ultrasound screening for another patient after having been successfully treated for thyroid cancer. Soon enough, doctors throughout the radiology department at Massachusetts General began discussing this same occurrence in other divisions, such as abdominal and chest imaging. Prior to the pandemic, it wasn’t common practice to ask women about prior vaccines while getting a mammogram. In January, Lehman and her colleagues at the hospital’s breast imaging center in Boston began noticing more mammogram patients with enlarged lymph nodes while undergoing breast cancer screening. The lymph nodes is one area that breast cancer most commonly spreads, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In some cases, they can be an indication of cancer. Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of infection from bacteria or viruses. Lymph nodes help the body fight off infections by functioning as a filter and trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses. (Photo credit: Massachusetts General Hospital) Sign up below to be added to our Daily Health Stories distribution list.A provided image shows a left breast mammogram showing an enlarged axillary lymph node. She said mammograms can be lifesaving and it’s important to get the screening when you’re due. ![]() Dean encourages women to see it through and simply let your medical team know you’ve recently been vaccinated. If you happen to have a routine mammogram scheduled around the time of your COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. They may send you for imaging studies, such as an ultrasound of your lymph nodes up under your arm and then we can just kind of follow you and make sure that everything is responding as we would expect in a typical vaccine reaction,” said Dr. “Your doctor may be able to reassure you. ![]() Dean recommends talking it through with your health care provider for peace of mind and next steps. However, lymph node swelling is sometimes associated with cancer, causing some people to worry.Īny time you find lumps or bumps that are concerning, Dr. She added that this is a common response to vaccination, in general. She noted, the swelling is almost always on the same side where they were vaccinated, and typically returns to normal about four weeks later. Dean said a small number of patients have reported swollen lymph nodes under the arm two-to-four days after vaccination, on average. “And that seems to be especially true following the COVID vaccine.”ĭr. “We know that lymph node swelling can be a common reaction, or side effect, to any vaccine – especially the flu vaccine or the shingles vaccine that we’ve had lots of experience with over the years,” she said. Laura Dean, MD, a breast cancer specialist with Cleveland Clinic, said it simply means your body is responding to the immunization as it should – and it’s not unusual. ![]() CLEVELAND – If you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine, you may have noticed some swollen lymph nodes.īelieve it or not, that’s actually a good sign. ![]()
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