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Umbilical complications of malignancy.
1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wright State University, 1382 East Stroop Road, Dayton, OH 45429, USA. Mmarinella@pol.net
Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer
|February 14, 2009
Summary
Umbilical metastases, known as Sister Mary Joseph
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Intraabdominal complications are common in cancer patients.
- Umbilical abnormalities in cancer patients are underreported in medical literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review umbilical complications in cancer patients.
- To highlight Sister Mary Joseph's sign as a key finding.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of umbilical abnormalities in cancer patients.
- Synthesis of clinical presentations and management strategies.
Main Results:
- Umbilical metastases (Sister Mary Joseph's sign) are the most frequent malignant umbilical complication.
- This sign can be the initial presentation of visceral malignancy.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should consider umbilical abnormalities in cancer patients.
- Other complications include periumbilical ecchymosis, infection, hernia, and varices, requiring specific therapies.
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