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Sister Mary Joseph nodule
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
A firm lump felt in or around the navel in a patient with internal cancer.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with metastatic spread of an abdominal or pelvic cancer to the umbilicus.
◈ Behind the name
Named after Sister Mary Joseph Dempsey (1856–1939), surgical assistant to William J. Mayo, who drew attention to the lump.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
Browse the S section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.