Who was Sister Mary Joseph nodule?

Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule is a metastatic tumor deposit in the umbilicus and often represents advanced intra-abdominal malignancy with dismal prognosis [1]. The term “Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule” was coined by Sir Hamilton Bailey in his book, Physical Signs in Clinical Surgery, in honor of Sister Mary Joseph, Dr.

Why is it called Sister Joseph nodule?

This clinical sign later became known as Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule, named after Sister Mary Joseph Dempsey (1856–1939), surgical assistant of Dr William James Mayo, who first noticed the association between abdomino-pelvic malignancies and metastatic umbilical nodules.

How is Sister Mary Joseph nodule formed?

Sister Mary Joseph nodule or Sister Mary Joseph Sign refers to a palpable nodule bulging into the umbilicus as a result of metastasis of a malignant cancer in the pelvis or abdomen.

Can you survive a Sister Mary Joseph nodule?

SMJN has a poor prognosis, and the overall survival is expected to be 2–11 months without treatment. 6 Because most cases of SMJN have multiple metastases, they can receive only palliative surgery, mild chemotherapy, or best supportive care.

Is Sister Mary Joseph nodule a lymph node?

Multiple skin nodules particularly at the umbilicus (Sister Joseph’s nodule) are diagnostic of dissemination. Enlarged lymph nodes in the axillae or supraclavicular fossa are occasionally present in a patient with widespread malignancy.

What is Transcoelomic?

Transcoelomic spread refers to a route of tumor metastasis across a body cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity, as in the case of ovarian cancer.

What is the deadliest cancer type?

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer — and lung cancer caused by asbestos — is the number one killer, with 131,880 estimated deaths in 2022 alone, making it three times deadlier than breast cancer.