Metastatic islet cell carcinoma to the umbilicus: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration

Internal malignancies rarely metastasize to the umbilical region. The gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract are the most common primary sites. Although the pancreas is frequently involved, the majority of these metastases are adenocarcinoma. Here, we present a case of umbilical metastasis from an islet cell carcinoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration in a young woman 2 yr after distal pancreatectomy. This finding led to further radiological studies and surgical intervention, which revealed intraabdominal tumor spread. Neuroendocrine tumors represent a rare tumor type that can give rise to umbilical metastases. Only two cases of carcinoid tumor metastasizing to the umbilicus have been reported.