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LIFE OF HELL
Terrifying four-inch ‘devil horn’ growing from the top of man’s head is finally removed by doctors
A TERRIFYING four-inch 'devil horn' which grew from the top of man's head has finally been removed by doctors.
Shyam Lal Yadav, 74, said the unicorn-like horn started growing around five years ago after he bumped his head, but has been "kept under control" by his barber.
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But the elderly farmer said it soon became hard and grew so long he had to seek help from surgeons.
The growth, called a sebaceous horn, is a tumour - often benign - that forms from the keratin in the skin and nails.
They typically grow on the face, hands, ears and nails - and in rarer cases they have been found to grow on a man's penis.
Neurosurgeons at Bhagyoday Tirth Hospital in Sagar city, India, removed the 'devil horn' lump and he is now recovering.
Surgeon Dr Vishal Gajbhiye said: "Around five years ago the patient had hurt his head after which a lump started growing.
"Initially, he ignored it as it did not cause any discomfort. Also, he got the growth cut by the local barber.
"But, when the lump hardened and started growing further, he approached the hospital at Sagar.
"In medical term, this type of rare growth is called sebaceous horn (devil's horn).
"As the horn is composed of keratin, the same material found in fingernails, the horn can usually be removed with a sterile razor.
"However, the underlying condition will still need to be treated.
Initially, he ignored it as it did not cause any discomfort ... he got the growth cut by the local barber.
Surgeon Dr Vishal Gajbhiye
"The sebaceous horns are predominantly benign lesions however the possibility of malignant potential should always be kept in mind.
"Treatments vary, but they can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
"Immediately after its removal, skin was grafted on the wound which has now healed completely."
Shyam, from Rahli village in Madhya Pradesh, India, said the lump had been growing in size since 2014.
The cause of the horns is unknown, but it is believed that exposure to radiation or sunlight can trigger the condition.
Photos taken before the operation showed the horn towering out the top of his head.
What is a 'devil's horn'?
DUBBED a 'devil's horn', the bizarre-looking growth is known by the medical terms sebaceous or cutaneous horn.
They are skin tumours that grow to resemble an animal's horn.
To be defined a horn they have to reach a height of at least one half the diameter.
Where do they grow?
They typically appear on the face, ears and the back of the hand in older people.
But, nail horns can also develop - especially on the big toe.
In rarer cases, a horn may appear on a man's penis.
The tumours develop from the skin's keratin, and are more common in people with sun-damaged skin.
Cutaneous horns can be harmless, pre-cancerous or cancerous. And they may be a sign of an underlying cyst.
What causes them?
Scientists don't know the exact causes of these horns.
They believe there is a link between high levels of radiation exposure, and developing one.
And because they typically appear in places exposed to the sun, there is a theory that sun exposure could play a role.
Are you at risk?
People are at greater risk of developing a cutaneous horn:
- if they have fair skin
- if they have the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- as they get older
- if they've suffered a lot of sun damage
Men are more likely to develop a horn, and they're more likely to be cancerous in men.
Those found on the face are more likely to be cancerous or pre-cancerous, compared to those growing on other body parts.
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Doctors initially performed a CT to determine what treatment would be necessary.
Surgeons then used a razor to remove the horn but will need to treat the root cause of the growth to prevent it from returning in the future.
Shyam spent ten days in hospital recovering from the surgery and a biopsy of the growth confirmed it was harmless.
Details of the case have been sent to the International Journal of Surgery because of how rare this type of growth is, doctors said.
What is a Devil's Horn?
A devil's horn is a rare growth, otherwise known as a sebaceous horn.
The growth is made of keratin, the same material found in fingernails.
The horns are predominantly benign lesions, but can potentially become malignant.
They can usually be removed with a sterile razor.
Treatments usually involve surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
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