How I grew four-inch ‘horn’: Man’s five year battle with growth

 The man's lump hardened over time [Photo: Goal Post Media / SWNS]

A four-inch 'devil horn' which grew on a man's head after he banged it has finally been removed.

Shyam Lal Yadav, 74, said the unicorn-like horn emerged around five years ago, however, he has now had the growth removed.

It was initially kept under control by his barber but the farmer said it soon became hard and got so long he had to seek help from surgeons.

The growth - called a sebaceous horn - is understood to be made of keratin, found in toenails and human hair.

Neurosurgeons at Bhagyoday Tirth Hospital in Sagar city, India, removed the lump - sometimes called a 'devil horn' and he is now recovering.

 Shyam Lal Yadav underwent surgery to remove the horn [Photo: Goal Post Media / SWNS]

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 terms, 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.

 The condition is known as sebaceous horn [Photo: Goal Post Media / SWNS]

"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 horns is still unknown, but it is believed that exposure to radiation or sunlight can trigger the condition.

Photos showed it towering out the top of his head before he got help.

Doctors initially performed a CT on Shyam to determine what treatment would be necessary.

 Mr Yadav had a skin graft as part of the operation [Photo: Goal Post Media / SWNS]

Surgeons used a razor to remove the horn and 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 as 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.