A 19-year-old woman in Canada experienced an extraordinary medical condition where her breast size rapidly grew from a B cup to a triple G within six months of receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers have described this as a first-of-its-kind case.
The unnamed woman, described as healthy prior to the incident, began noticing significant breast enlargement just one week after receiving her first dose in September 2022. The growth accelerated following her second dose.
“The patient believed the vaccine was responsible for her breast growth; however, her concerns were not adequately addressed by her primary care physicians, leading to mistrust in the healthcare system,” researchers from Toronto wrote in the journal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open.
The “Pfizer Boob Job” Phenomenon
Some women have previously reported increased breast size after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, a phenomenon dubbed the “Pfizer boob job.” However, there has been no conclusive evidence linking vaccines to significant breast changes.
Researchers noted that while lymph node swelling is a well-documented side effect of COVID-19 vaccinations, changes in breast tissue structure or density are exceedingly rare. This case marks only the second documented instance of noticeable breast changes associated with the Pfizer vaccine, though the first reported case involved a lump rather than general enlargement.
Diagnosis: Rare Condition
The woman was ultimately diagnosed with a rare condition called pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH), a benign lesion that can cause extreme breast enlargement. Fewer than 20 cases of PASH-induced gigantomastia have ever been reported worldwide.
“This case is the first to demonstrate a temporal association between PASH-associated gigantomastia and a vaccine,” the study authors wrote.
The patient reported a tingling sensation in her breasts before the rapid growth began. Blood tests revealed no significant hormonal abnormalities. Despite being prescribed steroids and antibiotics, the condition persisted for six months before stabilizing.
Surgery and Ongoing Challenges
The woman underwent breast reduction surgery five months after the growth stopped. During the procedure, she experienced significant blood loss, which limited the amount of tissue surgeons could remove. Post-surgery, her breasts were reduced to a double D size, but she may require further surgery to return to her original size.
Calls for Further Research
The study authors are urging further investigation to explore any potential link between the COVID-19 vaccine, PASH, and rapid breast growth.
“More than 13.6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide since 2020, and while rare adverse events have occurred, the benefits of vaccination still far outweigh the risks,” the researchers emphasized.
Pfizer has not commented on this specific case.
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