Sister Mary Joseph's nodule originating from endometrial carcinoma incidentally detected during surgery for an umbilical hernia: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Umbilical metastasis (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule) is rare. It is encountered in 1-3% of patients with intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy, with gastric carcinoma being the commonest origin in men and ovarian carcinoma-in women. Only 27 cases of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule originating from endometrial carcinoma have previously been documented in the literature.

Case report: In a 51-year-old woman, a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule coexisting with a large fibroid uterus was incidentally detected during surgery for suspected strangulated umbilical hernia. Subsequent laparotomy confirmed endometrial carcinoma metastasizing to the umbilical region.

Conclusion: This is the 28th case reported in the literature of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule originating from endometrial carcinoma and the first case of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule originating from endometrial carcinoma incidentally detected during surgery for umbilical hernia. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule coexisting with an umbilical hernia.