Umbilical complications of malignancy.

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.