Blumer's shelf

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,[1] due to metastatic tumor cells gravitating from an abdominal cancer and growing in the rectovesical or rectouterine pouch.

References
  1. Layke, JC; Lopez, PP (1 March 2004). "Gastric cancer: diagnosis and treatment options". American Family Physician. 69 (5): 1133–40. PMID 15023013.

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.


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