A UK man has shocked doctors after a 14cm cancerous horn-shaped growth sprouted from his lower back, despite no history of skin cancer.

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, the doctor's determined it was an "enormous" cancerous horn-shaped growth, or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), that had been growing for more than three years.

What surprised the journal's authors was that the man, who worked as a labourer, was a low-risk patient.

The cancerous horn from a left lateral view. Credit: BMJ

The man's family had no history of skin cancer and he had experienced no "significant" sun exposure.

The 50-year-old had the growth removed at a hospital in Chester, UK, with a skin graft taken from his thigh, according to the BBC.

'Rare case'

They say the find is a "rare case" but chose to share their findings to raise awareness about this type of cancer.

The growth was "neglected by a patient living in a developed country with access to free healthcare".

The cancerous horn from a right lateral view. Credit: BMJ

"This highlights that despite current public skin cancer awareness and rigorous healthcare measures, cases like this can still arise and slip through the net," the report said.

Common cancer

While the man's circumstances are rare, the report's authors say cSCC is "the second most common non-melanoma skin cancer".

Although most cases are diagnosed and treated before becoming 'dragon horns'.

The cancerous horn from a posterior view. Credit: BMJ

'Dragon horns' are appearing more frequently in both the USA and Europe, with increased risk factors including "light skin, age, male sex, exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation" among others, the report said.

More on 7NEWS.com.au