A cutaneous horn is a type of lesion or growth that appears on the skin. It’s made of keratin, which is a protein that makes up the top layer of the skin. The growth may look like a cone or horn, and it can vary in size.
This skin condition is more common in older adults, and both men and women can have it. Many cutaneous horns are benign or noncancerous, but they can also be precancerous or cancerous.
Symptoms
A cutaneous horn can appear as a large bump, cone, spike, or horn. The growth may be the same color as the skin or it may be a different color.
Most cutaneous horns are curved, and the curvature can get worse as they grow.
Cutaneous horns can also appear on any part of the body.
Areas of the body that are exposed more to the sun may be more likely to have these growths.
Causes
The exact cause of a cutaneous horn is often unknown. Exposure to radiation from the sunlight may be one of the causes. Another possible cause is having viral warts caused by human papillomavirus.
It’s estimated that about half of cutaneous horns appear on top of skin cancer or precancerous skin lesions. Others may appear on top of burn scars or other noncancerous skin conditions.
Cutaneous horns aren’t contagious, so they can’t spread to other people.
Treatment
Cutaneous horns may be a sign of cancer, so it’s important to call or see your doctor when a cutaneous horn first appears.
The most common treatment for cutaneous horns is removal. The type of treatment you receive will also depend on if the growth is cancerous or noncancerous.