Abstract
BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle is relatively uncommon site for metastasis in head and neck primary. This study was conducted to report our experience of three such cases and analyze the previously reported cases to assess the overall outcomes and formulate a treatment plan for these patients. METHODS: We pooled the data extracted on extensive literature review and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were analyzed for this study. All the patients had locally advanced primary and 14/17 developed metachronous metastasis. Median duration to development of metastasis was 8.5 months, and 13/17 patients had skeletal muscle as the only site of metastasis. Only 6/13 were treated with aggressive intent, 4 of which who underwent surgical resection had the best survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated skeletal muscle metastasis in a head and neck primary is relatively rare, and in future, the research work needs to be taken up afresh, on prospective model, with adequate patient sample, to draw a scientifically valid conclusion.