title: Gastric carcinoma of the umbilicus: case report of Sister Mary Joseph nodule.
abstract: Sister Mary Joseph nodule is a metastatic lesion of the umbilicus, which is an uncommon phenomenon that carries an ominous prognosis. We describe a patient with gastric cancer who presented with asymptomatic papules on the umbilicus proven to be metastatic foci by biopsy. The lesion represented spread of the malignancy despite chemotherapy; thus, treatment was initiated with second-line agents. Sister Mary Joseph nodule can be the first presenting sign of an occult malignancy, or as demonstrated in this case, a sign of disease progression. Given the variable appearance of the lesions, a high index of suspicion is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Talley B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Whang
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014472:Umbilicus