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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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A Coregistered Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Protocol for the Transvaginal Imaging of Ovarian Lesions
Published on: March 3, 2023
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The Umbilical Clue: Recognizing Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule
João Lança Pereira1, Elisa Veigas1, Catarina Rodrigues da Silva1
1Serviço de Medicina Interna, ULS Viseu Dão-Lafões, Viseu, Portugal.
European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|January 15, 2026
Summary
Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN) is a rare umbilical metastasis of intra-abdominal cancer. Early diagnosis of this sign of advanced disease is crucial for patient management and palliative care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN) is a rare clinical finding.
- It presents as an umbilical lesion.
- SMJN is often a manifestation of intra-abdominal malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of SMJN.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and clinical significance of SMJN.
- To emphasize the importance of prompt investigation for umbilical lesions.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of an 82-year-old woman.
- Clinical examination and imaging (CT scan).
- Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of umbilical and endometrial lesions.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis of serous endometrial adenocarcinoma with umbilical metastasis.
- Confirmation via immunohistochemical markers (CK7+, PAX8+, CK20-, CDX2-).
- Patient referred to palliative care due to advanced disease.
Conclusions:
- SMJN accounts for about 10% of cutaneous metastases.
- It often indicates advanced malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- Early recognition of SMJN is vital for patient management, often involving palliative care.
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