"قرن" ينمو في جبين امرأة صينية تبلغ من العمر 107 أعوام

The Mystery of the "Longevity Horn": A Look at Cutaneous Horns

An Unusual Phenomenon

The internet was recently abuzz with the story of a 107-year-old Chinese woman named Chen, who sported a peculiar growth on her forehead – a 10-centimeter-long horn. Chen, an unexpected star on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, has become a local celebrity in Guangdong province. While the growth, known as a cutaneous horn, has been developing over several years, Chen remains healthy, with a hearty appetite and a positive outlook.

Understanding Cutaneous Horns

Cutaneous horns are keratinous growths that resemble horns and typically appear on the face, ears, hands, and feet. They are often associated with benign skin tumors but can also indicate more serious skin changes or malignant tumors. These growths usually appear in elderly individuals, especially those with prolonged sun exposure. While generally harmless, experts recommend monitoring cutaneous horns due to the possibility of malignancy.

Similar Cases

Chen is not the only senior citizen to make headlines for a noticeable cutaneous horn. In 2019, a 74-year-old Indian man, Shyam Lal Yadav, underwent surgery to remove a 4-inch horn from his skull. Another Chinese woman, Zhang Ruifang, at 101 years old, developed a 6-cm-long cutaneous horn on her forehead in 2010. These cases highlight the rarity of cutaneous horns but also demonstrate their treatability.

Treatment and Prevention

Cutaneous horn treatment typically involves surgical removal, a relatively straightforward procedure that improves the patient's appearance and alleviates any discomfort. Following removal, a biopsy is performed to determine the nature of the growth and rule out any malignant cells. In some cases, additional treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended if there is evidence of cancerous growth. Prevention includes protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen, especially among older adults.