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Melanoma in the masseter muscle
Joanna Haskova1, Sangeeta Maini, C Meehan
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal United Hospital, NHS Trust, Bath, UK. johaskova@hotmail.com
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|January 26, 2005
Summary
This report details two rare cases of melanoma metastasis in the masseter muscle of young, healthy individuals. These asymptomatic lesions appeared without a detectable primary tumor, a phenomenon not previously documented in medical literature.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Melanoma is a significant skin cancer with diverse metastatic patterns.
- The masseter muscle is an uncommon site for metastatic disease, particularly from unknown primary melanomas.
Observation:
- Two young, healthy patients presented with asymptomatic masses in the masseter muscle.
- Diagnostic imaging and clinical evaluation failed to identify a primary cutaneous or mucosal melanoma in either case.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination confirmed metastatic melanoma within the masseter muscle tissue.
- Comprehensive literature review found no prior reports of melanoma metastasis originating in the masseter muscle.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for rare metastatic presentations of melanoma, even in unusual locations like the masseter muscle.
- Suggests the need for thorough investigation in cases of unexplained masseteric masses, considering metastatic melanoma of unknown primary.
- Underscores the importance of considering unusual metastatic sites in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses.