Metastatic small cell carcinoma to the masseter muscle originating from the uterine cervix

Abstract

Metastatic tumors to the head from infraclavicular primaries are relatively uncommon. The vast majority of primary tumors that metastasize to the head originate from the lung and breast. Tumors metastatic to the masseter are exceedingly rare with only one other case being reported in the literature. The case of a 34-year-old woman with a history of surgically-treated small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is presented. This case and our review of the literature illustrates the unusual nature of metastatic patterns in the head and their diagnostic complexity. Masses localized to the buccomasseteric region are usually considered to be of parotid origin. The differential diagnosis for masses in this area is generally limited to cogenital, inflammatory, or neoplastic lesions. Though uncommon, metastatic tumors from non-head and neck primary malignancies should be considered in the diagnosis as they may herald the onset of a new disease or the recurrence of cancer.