Sister Marie Joseph Nodule in a Polypathological Patient: Study of an Observation at the Dermatology Hospital of Bamako (Mali)

Abstract

Summary: Sister Mary Joseph nodule is a metastatic localization with a generally abdominal-pelvic origin and secondary to a primary adenocarcinoma in 90% of cases. We report an observation of Sister Mary Joseph nodule revealing a primary adenocarcinoma of the colon in a young adult with multiple pathologies. Observation: A 57-year-old patient, followed for hepatitis B, HIV1+, and benefiting from a therapeutic regimen (Tenofovir+Lamivudine+Dolutegravir) since 2019 and later a hyperthyroidism of incidental discovery. For one year he has had a firm nodular ulceration measuring 07 cm in its longest axis, with a reddish-pink appearance and whitish deposits, a haemorrhagic ooze on contact, and located at the umbilicus. Also, a tongue laden with whitish coatings that are easily removed with a tongue depressor and the inner surface of the cheeks and palate are erythematous. Bilateral exophthalmos abolished vocal vibrations in both lung bases; two hard left inguinal adenopathies adhering to the deep plane, painless, 3 cm in diameter each. He also described episodes of alternating constipation and diarrhoea accompanied by abdominal pain, coughing, physical asthenia and weight loss (40% loss in 2 years). Anatomopathology of a fragment of the nodule revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma whose tumour cells were of colorectal origin and expressed CK20 and CK8/18. Colonoscopy revealed a multilobed polyploid tumour of the ascending colon and histology concluded that it was a liberkuhnian adenocarcinoma. A chest CT scan revealed pulmonary and abdominal-pelvic metastases and the diagnosis of a Sister Mary Joseph nodule revealing a colonic and metastatic adenocarcinoma was made. The patient was referred to the oncology department for palliative care after the surgical opinion. Conclusion: The nodule of Sister Marie Joseph is a cutaneous metastasis revealing a cancer of the abdominopelvic sphere. This rare and characteristic tumour deserves to be known by practitioners .......