Photo of Zhang Ruifang: The Unicorn Lady
Zhang Ruifang, 101 years old (living in Linlou Village, Henan province, China), has grown a cutaneous horn on her forehead, resembling what those who have examined her and her family call Devil’s Horns.
The Horn in Zhang Ruifang has growth to 6 centimeters in length. Another horn is forming on the opposite side of her forehead.
Cutaneous horns, also known by the Latin name cornu cutaneum, are unusual keratinous skin tumors with the appearance of horns, or sometimes of wood or coral. They are usually small and localized, but can in very rare cases be much larger. A man in Indonesia is practically growing roots on his arms. Although often benign, they can also be malignant or premalignant.
As the horn is composed of dead 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. Treatments vary, but they can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
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Via BuzzFeed
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Post author: Daniel Semper