Umbilical complications of malignancy.

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients may manifest a variety of intraabdominal complications occurring during various phases of their illness; however, little in the literature exists regarding umbilical abnormalities in this population. DISCUSSION: Umbilical metastases (Sister Mary Joseph's sign) are the most common malignant complication involving the umbilicus and may be the presenting manifestation of visceral malignancy. Cancer patients may occasionally experience periumbilical ecchymosis (Cullen's sign), infection, hernia, or varices, each of which may require therapy. This review succinctly presents several umbilical complications that the clinician may encounter in patients with malignant disease.

Author information

Author/s: Marinella, Mark A (MA);

Affiliation: Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wright State University, 1382 East Stroop Road, Dayton, OH 45429, USA. Mmarinella(-atsign-)pol.net

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Journal of gastrointestinal cancer (J Gastrointest Cancer), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-; vol 39 (issue 1-4) : pp 37-41

Dates: Created 2009/06/17; Completed 2009/09/08;

PMID: 19214803, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/8/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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