Eight cases of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration

We report eight cases of umbilical metastases (Sister Mary Joseph's nodules) diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration. The primary carcinoma was below the diaphragm in seven patients. There was one false-negative diagnosis. We advocate the use of fine needle aspiration as the initial diagnostic test. It is a simple, fast, accurate, and relatively inexpensive means of making the definitive diagnosis. It can spare patients invasive procedures that are not clearly of benefit.