Umbilical metastasis: A case series of four sister Joseph nodules from four different visceral malignancies

Abstract

Sister Joseph nodule is a metastatic umbilical lesion secondary to a primary malignancy of any viscera. It can be a presenting symptom (a sign of undiagnosed malignancy) or a symptom or sign of progression or recurrence in a known case. Its incidence is 1%-3% of all intra-abdominal or pelvic malignancies. Here, we present 4 such cases, with Sister Joseph nodule as a finding of presentation in a case of gallbladder carcinoma, progression in a case of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour, recurrence in a case of ovarian carcinoma, and presentation in a case of rectal carcinoma. The clinicopathologic features of all 4 patients are discussed, and the related literature is briefly reviewed. © 2010 Multimed Inc.