A Large Cutaneous Horn of the Glans Penis: a Rare Presentation

Abstract

Cutaneous horn (cornu cutaneum) is a relatively uncommon lesion consisting of a projectile, conical, dense, hyperkeratotic nodule which resembles the horn of an animal. Cutaneous horns most frequently occur in sun-exposed parts and are typically found in the face and the scalp, but may also occur on the hands, eyelids, nose, chest, neck, shoulder and penis. Their occurrence on the penis is uncommon. We report a 42-year-old man presenting with penile cutaneous horn. The association with malignancy on the penis makes proper identification of these lesions essential. Standard treatment involves local excision, but the presence of malignancy mandates a partial penectomy.

Giant cutaneous (keratotic) horn on the thumb

“…Cutaneous (keratotic) horn (CH) is a benign, elongated, keratinous projection usually few millimetres from the skin surface 1–5. Few cases of giant CH (GCH) have been reported in English literature.…”

“…The management of GCH requires wide local excision followed by careful HPE of the base 1–5. Further management depends on the underlying pathology whether benign or malignant.…”

Premalignant penile lesions

“…Predisposing factors include chronic preputial inflammation, phimosis, penile trauma, poor hygiene, relapsing balanoposthitis (probably lichen sclerosus), HPV infection and SCC. 29 It has a risk of malignant transformation into low grade verrucous or keratinising SCC, reported in approximately 30% of cases. 30 Due to its malignant potential, it should always be further investigated histopathologically.…”

Cutaneous Horn of the Glans

“…Cutaneous horn is a morphologic designation for a protuberance constituted by compact keratinous material, with conic structure and hard consistence similar to a horn [1]. It is frequently associated to various pathological conditions as actinic keratosis, basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), seborrheic keratosis, verruca vulgaris, among others.…”