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

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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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Cancer Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel

    Benjamin Piura & Mihai Meirovitz

  2. Department of Surgery, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel

    Michael Bayme

  3. Institute of Pathology, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel

    Ruthy Shaco-Levy

Authors
  1. Benjamin Piura
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  2. Mihai Meirovitz
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  3. Michael Bayme
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  4. Ruthy Shaco-Levy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin Piura.

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Piura, B., Meirovitz, M., Bayme, M. et al. Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule originating from endometrial carcinoma incidentally detected during surgery for an umbilical hernia: a case report. Arch Gynecol Obstet 274, 385–388 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0189-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0189-0

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