METASTATIC MASSETER MUSCLE TUMOR - A REPORT OF A CASE

Both primary and metastatic malignancies of the masseter muscle are ra re. We report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the massete r muscle. It was incidentally found as a hypervascular mass in carotid angiography for delineating a recurrent metastatic brain tumour. Prio r to surgical removal, intravascular embolization via the left facial artery was performed in order to decrease intra-operative bleeding. Th e tumour was removed with minimum damage to the muscle fibres by the e xtraoral method, followed by a transient lower lip palsy. Metastatic i ntramuscular tumours, which are assumed to be due to haematogenous spr ead, are generally a sign of poor prognosis.