Umbilical metastasis or Sister Mary Joseph's nodule as a very early sign of an occult cecal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Umbilical metastasis (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule) is a rare occurrence and indicates, in most of the patients, an advanced intraabdominal malignancy. It may be the first sign of an underlying adenocarcinoma, originating mainly from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. An extremely rare case of a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is described herein, where the metastatic umbilical nodule was the first sign of a cecal adenocarcinoma and became evident 8 months before the onset of the disease. Diagnostic evaluation and surgical management are discussed along with a review of the literature. This case is presented in order to emphasize the need for thorough investigation of any umbilical lesion especially in elderly patients.