Virchow's node

System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

An enlarged, hard lymph node felt just above the left collarbone, at the end of the thoracic duct (also called Troisier's sign when it signals abdominal cancer).

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with metastatic spread from an abdominal cancer, classically of the stomach.

◈ Behind the name

Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902), German pathologist, founder of cellular pathology.

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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.