Blumer's shelf

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Blumer's shelf, or the rectal shelf, is a finding palpable (felt) in rectal or vaginal examination that indicates that a tumor has metastasized to the pouch of Douglas.

It is usually a site of metastasis of cancers of the lung, pancreas and stomach,{{cite journal|last1=Layke|first1=JC|last2=Lopez|first2=PP|title=Gastric cancer: diagnosis and treatment options|journal=American Family Physician|date=1 March 2004|volume=69|issue=5|pages=1133–40|pmid=15023013|url=http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0301/p1133.html}} due to metastatic tumor cells gravitating from an abdominal cancer and growing in the rectovesical{{Cite web |title=Key Signs and Risks of Rectal Cancer |url=https://www.vejthani.com/diseases-conditions/rectal-cancer/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Vejthani Hospital |language=en-US}} or rectouterine pouch.

References

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Bibliography

  • Blumer, G. (1909). "Rectal shelf: neglected rectal sign of value in diagnosis of obscure malignant and inflammatory disease within the abdomen." Albany Medical Annals. 30:361.

Category:Gastrointestinal cancer

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