Umbilical metastasis from malignant neoplasms of pelvic and abdominal cavity with 3 cases analysis

Objective: To study the incidence, spreading path, prognosis and treatment of the umbilical metastasis Sister Mary Joseph nodule (SMJN) from malignancies.

Methods: To analyse the clinical feature from 3 cases of SMJN and to review pertinent literatures.

Results: Three cases SMJN were come from advanced primary peritoneal carcinoma in case 1, recurrent mucinous ovarian papillary adenocarcinoma in case 2 after primary cytoreductive surgery and systemic chemotherapy and case 3 with recurrent endometrial carcinoma. All patients received umbilical resection and the umbilical metastasis was confirmed pathologically, while case 3 was diagnosed adenocarcinoma spreading by fine needle respiration before the surgery. The mean survival was 63 months following surgery or chemotherapy or radiotherapy, case 1 died of advanced malignancy, while case 2 and case 3 were still alive 58 and 44 months, respectively.

Conclusions: Although the incidence being low, SMJN was the important sign of one of the vast metastatic malignancy and has grave prognosis. Umbilical resection should be performed on some patients of SMJN with relative good condition, and chemotherapy or radiotherapy should also performed accordingly.