Breast radiation completed after severe vertigo during COVID-19 vaccination

What happened, in summary

A 60-year-old Japanese woman was treated for ductal carcinoma in situ in her right breast. The tumor was estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive and HER2-negative. She first had a partial mastectomy and then started postoperative radiation to the breast.

During the radiation course, she received two COVID-19 vaccinations. After the first vaccination she had mild arm pain and headache. Following the second, she developed marked fatigue, very high blood pressure, and severe vertigo. She was hospitalized locally and diagnosed with Meniere’s disease.

Her radiation treatment was paused for 4 days while she recovered. She later returned using a wheelchair and completed the remaining breast radiation. She also developed mild skin redness from radiation, but did not need medication for it.

At a follow-up visit 4 weeks after radiation ended, the vertigo was still present but she could walk and had briefly returned to work. The radiation-related skin changes were improving, with no pain or itching. Her experience centers on completing breast treatment while managing a significant health problem that arose during the radiation period.