Sister Mary Joseph’s Nodule from Ovarian Cancer

This article is an answer to the Case – Painful Umbilical Nodule

In the 2 days before presentation, the patient noted new bloody exudate from the nodule. Physical examination revealed a painful and firm, erythematous umbilical nodule measuring 2 cm in its largest diameter and a palpable pelvic mass.

Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a heterogeneous pelvic mass measuring 11 cm by 11 cm by 9.5 cm (arrow), moderate ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and a nodule measuring 2.4 cm (largest diameter) in the umbilical region (arrowhead).

CT Abdomen showing pelvic mass, moderate ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and a nodule in the umbilical region
CT Abdomen showing pelvic mass, moderate ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and a nodule in the umbilical region

Diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsies of the large mass, umbilical nodule, and peritoneal implants were performed, and pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

A Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule is a metastatic umbilical lesion in the umbilicus and is typically associated with gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancers. The patient underwent cytoreductive surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy.