The umblicus says it all

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Umbilical nodules can be divided into benign and malignant. Malignant lesions of the umbilicus are very rare. They can arise from primary tumors or secondary to abdominal and pelvic malignancies. Literature review suggests that these umbilical lesions can present as primary tumor in 38% of the cases, endometriosis in 32%, and metastatic lesions in 30%. Umbilical metastasis is one of the main characteristic signs of extensive neoplastic disease and is known as Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule (SMJN). It is a very rare finding and the incidence of SMJN is 1- 3% in people diagnosed with intra-abdominal or pelvic malignancies. Methods/Case Report A 31-year-old male with no past medical history presented to the emergency room with 3 months history of umbilical nodule and 60 pounds weight loss. He experienced early satiety, abdominal pain, nausea and generalized fatigue. CT abdomen showed hepatomegaly with numerous hypoattenuating lesions throughout the liver with peripheral enhancement, and hypoattenuating mass within the pancreatic tail and body measuring approximately 2.1 x 5.8 cm that appears contiguous with hilar splenic lesion. CT chest showed multiple pulmonary metastases with prominent precarinal and subcarinal lymph nodes. Serologic tests revealed elevated Alpha fetoprotein, ALP, ALT, and CA19-9. Patient underwent umbilical nodule core biopsy and right liver core biopsy. Microscopic evaluation of the specimens revealed pancreatic acinic cell carcinoma with two different morphological variants. Umbilical nodule with glandular pattern and liver lesion with trabecular pattern. Immunohistochemical stains were performed with tumor cells positive for CK 7, Trypsin and BCL-10 and negative for Glypican 3, CK 20, AFP and CD56. The prognosis is poor, with an average survival time of about 19 months. After the diagnosis patient underwent chemotherapy. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Umbilical nodules can be diagnosed with careful clinical and histopathological evaluation. The prognosis of patients presenting with SMJN is generally poor as it is a sign of advanced malignancy. Sometimes it may be the first and only sign of an internal neoplasm. Therefore, this is an important differential diagnosis to consider.