Final answer:
Sister Mary Joseph nodule is a palpable umbilical nodule indicating the metastasis of an intra-abdominal malignancy and is associated with advanced-stage cancer, signifying a poor prognosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Sister Mary Joseph nodule pertains to a palpable nodule bulging into the umbilicus that results from metastasis of a malignancy from the abdomen or pelvis. It is named after Sister Mary Joseph, a surgical assistant who first noted the association between umbilical nodules and intra-abdominal malignancies. It is associated with advanced stage malignancy, notably of the stomach, ovary, colon, or pancreas. This physical sign suggests a poor prognosis due to the underlying spread of cancer.