A 42-year-old woman presents with enlarged left supraclavicular lymph nodes (Virchow's node). Cancer from which organ is the MOST classic cause?

• A Right lung
• B Left breast
• C Thyroid gland
• D Stomach ✓

Explanation

Virchow's node (left supraclavicular node, also called the sentinel node of Troisier) drains the thoracic duct, which collects lymph from most of the body including the abdominal viscera. Gastric carcinoma most classically spreads via the thoracic duct to Virchow's node — this is Troisier's sign. Right-sided lung cancer may enlarge right supraclavicular nodes via the right lymphatic duct. Left breast drains primarily to anterior axillary nodes. Thyroid drains to deep cervical and paratracheal nodes.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.