A 75-year-old woman in Thailand shocked doctors after a massive horn-like growth measuring 26cm developed from the back of her head, leading some superstitious villagers to believe she had been cursed or possessed by evil spirits.
However, medical examinations later revealed that the terrifying “devil horn” was actually linked to a form of skin cancer.
According to Thai medical Facebook page “Tensia”, the elderly woman first noticed a small bump on the back of her head several years ago. As the growth caused no pain or discomfort at the time, neither she nor her family paid much attention to it, assuming it would eventually disappear on its own.
Instead, the lump continued growing over the years, gradually hardening and thickening before curving outward into a large horn-like structure resembling an animal horn. Due to its bizarre appearance, some relatives and neighbours reportedly believed she had been cursed or possessed by supernatural forces.
As the “horn” became larger, the woman started experiencing severe discomfort while sleeping because the back of her head would press against the pillow. She eventually decided to seek medical treatment.
Doctors later diagnosed the condition as a “cutaneous horn”, a rare growth caused by excessive keratin build-up. Keratin is the protein commonly found in human hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin. When abnormal amounts accumulate and harden, they can form horn-shaped projections on the body.
A CT scan showed that although the growth was extremely large and partially calcified, it had fortunately not penetrated the skull.
Surgeons successfully removed the horn during an operation. However, laboratory testing later revealed that malignant skin cancer cells were hidden at the base of the growth. The cancer was identified as squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
Fortunately, doctors confirmed that the cancer had remained confined to the skin surface and had not spread into deeper blood vessels, nerves, or surrounding tissues.
Following complete surgical removal, the woman underwent regular follow-up treatment and monitoring for five years. Doctors reported that there has been no recurrence of the cancer so far.
Medical experts are now reminding the public not to ignore unusual skin growths, especially those that continue enlarging, harden over time, or rapidly change in appearance, even if they are painless. Early medical screening remains critical for detecting potentially serious conditions such as skin cancer.