A shocking medical case in Thailand has gone viral after a 75-year-old woman developed a massive horn-like growth measuring up to 26 centimetres from the back of her head — a condition some relatives initially believed was caused by black magic or evil spirits.
According to Thai media reports, the elderly woman first noticed a small bump on the back of her scalp several years ago.
Because the growth caused no pain or discomfort at the time, both the woman and her family assumed it was harmless and expected it to disappear naturally.
Instead, the strange protrusion continued growing larger, harder and thicker over the years before eventually curving outward into what resembled a giant animal horn.
The bizarre appearance reportedly sparked fear among some relatives and neighbours, with certain individuals believing the woman had been cursed or possessed due to local superstitious beliefs.
As the so-called “devil horn” continued increasing in size, the woman eventually struggled to sleep comfortably because the massive growth pressed painfully against pillows whenever she lay down.
Concerned family members finally brought her to hospital for medical treatment.
Doctors later diagnosed the condition as a rare phenomenon known as a cutaneous horn — an abnormal growth caused by excessive buildup of keratin, the protein that forms hair, nails and the outer layer of skin.
Medical specialists explained that when keratin accumulates excessively and continues growing outward, it can harden into structures resembling horns.
CT scan examinations revealed the horn had partially calcified but fortunately had not penetrated the woman’s skull.
However, doctors made a more alarming discovery after surgically removing the growth and sending tissue samples for laboratory testing.
Pathology results confirmed that malignant skin cancer was hidden at the base of the horn, specifically a type known as squamous cell carcinoma.
Fortunately, the cancer cells were still confined to the surface skin layer and had not spread deeper into blood vessels or nerves.
The woman later underwent complete surgical removal of the affected tissue and has reportedly remained cancer-free for five years following continuous medical monitoring and follow-up treatment.
Medical experts have since used the unusual case to warn the public not to ignore unusual skin growths simply because they appear painless.
Doctors stressed that any lump or skin abnormality that rapidly enlarges, hardens or changes shape should be examined immediately, as seemingly harmless symptoms may sometimes conceal serious or potentially deadly diseases.
