Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans following COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination: A Case Report

Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly known as COVID-19, is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms range from mild (fever, cough, fatigue) to severe (shortness of breath, organ failure), with complications often observed in individuals with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. The introduction of vaccines to combat the disease is recent, necessitating ongoing evaluation of potential long-term effects. In contrast, influenza vaccination, with over 70 years of use, allows a better understanding of its long-term impacts. This case discusses a 40-year-old male patient who developed Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) in his right arm with rapid progression, following the simultaneous administration of the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca and the trivalent Influenza vaccine at the same day and anatomical site, the proximal brachial region of the right upper limb. The patient underwent resection and histopathological analysis of the lesion, which revealed a skin/subcutaneous sarcoma compatible with grade 1 DFSP. The temporal relationship between the emergence of the lesion and the vaccination raises questions about potential uncommon immune-mediated adverse effects, discussed in this article through clinical analysis and a review of studies reporting similar reactions. This case highlights the importance of reporting and investigating rare adverse events that may be associated with vaccines to identify and better understand these complications.