Are black warts cancerous

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Warts and verrucas

Warts and verrucas are small lumps on the skin that most people have at some point in their life. They usually go away on their own but may take months or even years.

Check if you have a wart or verruca

Warts feel firm and rough. They can appear on palms, knuckles, knees and fingers.

Warts are usually skin coloured but may appear darker on black or brown skin.

You can get verrucas on your feet. They have tiny black dots under the hard skin.

Some warts are round, flat and can be yellow (plane warts). You can have many of them.

Clusters of warts spread over an area of skin (mosaic warts) are common on feet and hands.

Warts are not harmful, but some people find them itchy, painful or embarrassing. Verrucas are more likely to be painful like standing on a needle.

You can treat warts if they bother you, keep coming back or are painful.

A pharmacist can help with warts and verrucas

You can buy creams, plasters and sprays from pharmacies to treat warts and verrucas.

These treatments can take up to 3 months to complete, may irritate your skin and do not always work. You should not use these treatments on your face.

Your pharmacist can give you advice about the best treatment for you.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

you're worried about a growth on your skin
you have a wart or verruca that keeps coming back
you have a very large or painful wart or verruca
you have a wart that bleeds or changes in how it looks
you have a wart on your face or genitals

Treatments for warts and verrucas

A GP may be able to freeze a wart or verruca so it falls off a few weeks later. Sometimes it takes a few sessions.

Check with the GP if the NHS pays for this treatment in your area.

If treatment has not worked or you have a wart on your face, the GP might refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

If you have a large or very painful verruca, you may be referred to a foot specialist (podiatrist).

A podiatrist can provide a number of treatments including:

stronger medicines than you can get from a pharmacist
freezing the verruca using liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
surgery to remove the verruca using a scalpel or laser

You can also pay to see a podiatrist privately.

How to stop warts and verrucas spreading

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus. They can be spread to other people from contaminated surfaces or through close skin contact.

You're more likely to spread a wart or verruca if your skin is wet or damaged.

It can take months for a wart or verruca to appear after contact with the virus.

There are things you can do to help stop warts or verrucas spreading to other people.

Do

wash your hands after touching a wart or verruca
change your socks daily if you have a verruca
cover warts and verrucas with a plaster when swimming
take care not to cut a wart when shaving

Dont

do not share towels, flannels, socks or shoes if you have a wart or verruca
do not bite your nails or suck fingers with warts on
do not walk barefoot in public places if you have a verruca
do not scratch or pick a wart

Page last reviewed: 25 July 2023 Next review due: 25 July 2026

What does skin cancer on the neck look like?

Skin cancer on the neck may be basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or melanoma. Melanoma typically looks like a dark-colored asymmetric mole, BCC looks like a shiny or pearly bump, and SCC is a wart-like growth.

Most skin cancers on the neck are non-melanoma skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most frequent types of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs).

NMSCs usually form in the basal and squamous cells, in the outermost layer of skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, BCC on the neck often looks like a shiny, round, raised growth, while SCC often looks like a warty growth but can appear as a firm, red bump, scaly patch, or a sore that heals and then reopens.

Melanoma is a rare, but more aggressive, type of skin cancer that can also develop on the neck. Melanomas often look like asymmetric dark-colored growths. They can be flesh-colored, pink, or red but are usually darker in color.

This article looks at how to identify skin cancer on the neck and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

The following images show some ways that skin cancer can appear on the neck.

There are many types of skin cancer, but cancer that appears on a persons neck is more likely to be a BCC or SCC.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), BCC is the most common form of skin cancer. In the United States, doctors diagnosed an estimated 3.6 million cases of BCC per year, compared with 1.8 million cases of SCC.

In one analysis of data for people with skin cancer, 40.2% of BCCs and 33.4% of SCCs were on a persons head or neck upon diagnosis.

The appearance of BCCs and SCCs on the neck can vary, but there are some common features.

BCC usually looks like:

a non-healing wound
a sore that oozes, weeps, crusts over, or bleeds
a shiny, pearly bump
a persistent sore with a sunken center

SCC may appear as:

an open sore that does not heal
a scaly, crusted patch that may bleed and will not resolve
a crusty, wart-like growth

Nodular melanoma is a type of melanoma that involves an overgrowth of pigment cells. It accounts for 1530% of all melanomas and often appears on the neck and head.

Nodular melanoma lesions can be:

a raised, round lump
black or red
bleeding or oozing

What does skin cancer look like on darker skin tones?

The most common symptom of skin cancer is a non-healing wound.

The Skin Cancer Foundation also encourages people to look out for:

any new moles or growths
moles or growths that have grown or changed significantly in any way
lesions that change, itch, spontaneously bleed, or do not heal

For melanoma, specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following the A-B-C-D-E method to look for warning signs:

A Asymmetrical: Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape?
B Border: Is it irregular or jagged?
C Color: Is the color even or are there multiple colors?
D Diameter: Is it larger than a pea, about 6 millimeters?
E Evolving: Has it changed over the last few weeks or months?

Enlarged lymph nodes can also signal skin cancer. Many lymph nodes are in the neck, groin, and underarms.

When melanoma begins on the neck, cancer cells can spread through the blood and lymph nodes, causing swelling.

Discolored skin patches: Is it cancer?

People should check their skin regularly for new or evolving lesions and speak with a doctor if they notice anything unusual.

With an early diagnosis, the outlook for a person with skin cancer is excellent.

The 5-year relative survival rate for someone with localized melanoma that has not spread beyond the original site is over 99%. In other words, a person has at least a 99% chance of surviving another 5 years after diagnosis compared with someone who does not have melanoma.

However, this rate falls to 32% if melanoma spreads to distant parts of the body.

For this reason, it is essential to seek an early diagnosis for any type of skin cancer.

Can apps help detect skin cancer early?

A doctor will likely:

examine an individuals skin
ask about the individuals and their familys medical histories
ask the person when the mark first appeared, if it has changed, and when
ask if the lesion has bled or is itchy or painful
note other risk factors, such as sun exposure

The doctor may recommend a skin biopsy and remove the lesion at the same time.

Treatment options will depend on the type and stage of skin cancer, among other factors.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

For NMSCs, doctors may use various approaches, such as:

local excision, which involves removing the lesion and skin around it
curettage and electrodesiccation, where a surgeon scrapes away the surface layer and then applies heat using an electric current to destroy any remaining cells
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), a minor surgery that removes high risk or invasive skin cancer lesions on the head and neck, where there is not enough skin to remove around the lesion

A doctor will send the tissue to a laboratory for analysis to confirm if cancer is present and, if so, which type.

They may also prescribe topical immunotherapy, such as imiquimod (Aldara) for BSC or topical chemotherapy.

Can chemotherapy cream treat skin cancer?

Melanoma

For melanoma, a doctor will usually recommend a wide, local excision, but if cancer has spread to other areas or is aggressive they may also suggest one or more of the following:

MMS
surgery to remove the lymph nodes
immunotherapy
chemotherapy
targeted therapy
radiation therapy

There is a link between many skin cancers and repeated sun exposure. Following sun safety guidance can help lower the risk of developing skin cancer on the neck.

People can help protect their skin by:

avoiding prolonged exposure when UV rays are at their strongest, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
seeking shade
wearing protective clothing outdoors, such as a wide-brimmed hat or scarf
using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or over
avoiding tanning booths and sunlamps

Can Black people get skin cancer?

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about skin cancer on the neck:

Is skin cancer common on the neck?

Skin cancer on the neck is most likely to be basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for 80% and 20%, respectively, of all skin cancers. Both types usually develop on sun-exposed areas, such as the neck, head, and face.

Nodular melanoma is a type of melanoma skin cancer. It usually occurs on the head and neck and accounts for 1530% of all melanoma diagnoses. It tends to grow downward into the skin rather than spreading out.

What does melanoma look like on the neck?

Melanoma usually starts as a mole but can appear in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Nodular melanoma commonly grows on the neck and can appear as a bump called a polypoid. The bump is usually black, but can also look blue, gray, white, brownish, or red.

Skin cancer on the neck is common and has an excellent outcome with early diagnosis and treatment.

To reduce the risk of skin cancer, people should avoid or limit direct sun exposure to the neck and check their skin regularly for changes. If changes occur, the person should see a doctor.

Warts on Dogs: The Complete Guide

Finding a lump or bump on your dog is concerning, to say the least, but not all lumps and bumps are created equal. This is particularly true for dog warts, also known as canine papillomatosis, which is benign growth that is likely to still worry dog owners. Here's what you must know should you ever encounter warts on dogs.

What are Dog Warts?

Dog warts are benign growths (also called tumors or papillomas) on your dogs skin. The papilloma or wart is most often flash colored and has the appearance of a cauliflower head with small flesh-colored heads clustered together.

This is what a wart on a dog looks like:

Although dog warts are most often pink (as shown in the above photo), it is also possible for them to be black, grey, or red and they can also have more or less texture to them. Dog warts may also have a flatter appearance or seem scaly and they can even grow inward rather than outward.

Papillomas or warts can appear just about anywhere on your dogs body, but the specific virus responsible for causing each type of wart tends to be different. The most frequent site of papilloma warts on dogs is around the mouth or on or around the paws.

What Causes Dog Warts?

Dog warts are also called papillomas because they are caused by a virus called the Papillomavirus.

The Papillomavirus is an opportunistic virus that inserts their genetic information into your dogs cells DNA. This alters how your dogs cells divide, causing them to divide more often and in an abnormal way. This causes the growth of warts on your dogs skin.

The Papillomavirus can be transmitted through contact with an infected dog, through toys, bowls, bedding, through cuts and abrasions, or via pests like mosquitoes and fleas.

Are Some Dogs More Predisposed to Warts?

The Papillomavirus is a common virus that all dogs are exposed to at various points during their lifetime. Whether or not a dog develops papillomas after exposure to the virus is dependent on their immune system.

A healthy dogs immune system will fight the Papillomavirus and it is often unable to take hold. If the virus does cause papilloma growth, warts do not spread to other parts of the body and can usually resolve themselves over a month or two. Warts that are removed from a healthy dog also tend not to regrow because after contracting the virus once, their body has developed an immunity to it.

Although a dog with a healthy immune system does not always present with symptoms, its important to be aware that they can still carry the infection and expose other dogs to the virus.

In comparison to a healthy dog, a dog with a compromised immune system is unable to fight against the virus and so it takes hold and causes warts. These warts can spread or recur after removal.

Warts are frequently found in older dogs because they tend to have less robust immune systems. Dogs that have an immune imbalance or autoimmune condition are also susceptible to the virus.

In the case of oral papillomas, younger dogs are also often subject to infection because of their undeveloped immune systems.

How Are Warts on Dogs Diagnosed?

Dog warts are easily identified by an experienced veterinarian. Most dogs will, at some point in their life, develop at least one or two of these warts and so the average veterinarian sees their fair share of them during their career.

A visual exam is often enough for a veterinarian to know what they are looking at but to be sure, they may also perform a fine needle aspiration. This requires inserting a thin needle directly into the growth and taking a small sample of the cells that make it up. By looking at these sample cells under a microscope the vet can usually determine the presence of Papillomavirus.

Once in a while, a fine needle aspiration will reveal unclear findings and when this happens, a biopsy may be required. Since papillomas on dogs tend to be smaller growths, the biopsy sample is usually collected by fully removing the wart. The tissue is then sent to a veterinary pathologist who can examine the cells of the growth with more certainty.

How to Treat Warts on Dogs

In healthy dogs, vets often take the watch and wait approach to treatment for dog warts. They keep an eye on the wart progression and see if it resolves itself (it usually does) or whether it persists or spreads.

In dogs with a compromised immune system, an active treatment method is more likely. For example, these dogs tend to have more warts which grow in clusters or can grow to be quite large. It is also quite common for immune-compromised dogs to develop infected papillomas which may require surgical removal or antibiotic treatment.

The preferred method of papilloma treatment is surgical removal of the complete growth. The need for removal is generally decided on a case-by-case basis considering the dogs age, the number of papillomas present, any restriction on comfort or movement caused by the presence of [apillomas, infection, ingrown papillomas, and any other health conditions which may influence a dogs ability to undergo medical procedures.

If warts are not causing any problems for your dog in terms of movement, infection, or pain, its still usually the best choice to leave the growths alone and simply watch and wait.

Should I Remove My Dogs Warts?

Most veterinarians will not remove papillomas unless they cause problems for your dogs health or comfort. Keep this in mind when you are debating whether or not you should have them removed yourself at home.

If you feel like wart removal is necessary, talk to your veterinarian about your decision to be sure that you are not putting your dog at risk.

Cosmetic reasons are not a good enough reason to have your dogs warts removed. If your dog has papillomas already, it means that their immune system is not at its best and unnecessary surgical procedures (no matter how small) can leave them susceptible to infection.

Are Dog Warts Dangerous?

Canine papillomae are usually not a cause for concern themselves (although very rarely they can become cancerous), but they can be the cause of a more serious condition or a sign of something more serious.

Firstly, papillomas can become infected if they are repeatedly scratched, bitten, knocked, or otherwise irritated. If left untreated, an infection can spread and lead to more serious health problems in your pet.

Secondly, if the dog has developed an ongoing series of papillomas, it is a sign that their immune system is not as robust as it should be. In this instance, you should maintain a close relationship with your vet so that you can watch or test for symptoms related to auto-immune diseases or simply monitor lower immune system function.

Also keep in mind that while papillomae are generally not dangerous, its important that you confirm that you are dealing with actual papillomas first. It is possible for other growths or lesions to look similar to dog warts when they are much more sinister in nature.

Can Dog Warts Be Prevented?

If your dog is infected with the Papillomavirus and you know that they are infected, do not allow them to come into contact with other dogs. Since the virus is contagious with direct contact, you can prevent other dogs from becoming infected by keeping your pooch at home until the virus subsides.

Lastly, if your pet has a compromised immune system, avoid taking them to areas where they may be exposed to the Papillomavirus such as dog parks and kennels.

Is There a Connection Between Dog Warts and Vaccines?

Some people believe that there is a connection between the development of papillomae and vaccinating dogs. This is a tricky assumption because pet owners often take it a reason to stop vaccinating their pets altogether. This is NOT the answer.

When I say that vaccinations can lead to the development of Papillomavirus, we are talking about OVER-vaccination. All dogs should receive their core vaccines and each annual booster should be preceded by a titer test that will determine whether or not a booster shot is necessary.

This alternative to needless annual vaccinations means that your dogs immune system is not taxed unnecessarily with vaccinations that arent needed. This also means that if your dog is exposed to the Papillomavirus, they are going to be less likely to contract it due to a subdued immune system due to over-vaccination.

3 Other Lumps and Bumps Commonly Confused with Warts

There are a few different types of growths on dogs that can be misidentified as papillomas by the untrained eye because they are visually similar. Three of these most common dog skin growths include sebaceous cysts, histiocytomas, and mast cell tumors.

1. Sebaceous Cysts

Sebaceous cysts are the growth most frequently confused with papillomae. These growths are smooth in texture and are colored similarly to papillomae. Sebaceous cysts are benign growths that result from excess sebum building up around hair follicles and creating a lump underneath the skin. As this lump grows it can either erupt or it can remain as is.

These types of growth on dogsare usually left alone by vets since they dont often pose problems and when they are drained, they tend to fill back up again because the sac which held the cyst contents is still in place. This sac can be removed via surgery but it is unnecessary in most instances.

2. Histiocytomas

Histiocytomas are another growth that can be confused with papillomas although they tend to be much angrier in appearance with a deep red coloration. This type of growth is comprised of immune cells and grows very quickly.

Vets tend to watch and wait with histiocytomas because they can resolve themselves, but if they do ulcerate, become problematic, or fail to resolve, surgical removal is best.

3. Mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumors are also developed out of immune cells, but they are something to worry about and the reason why you should always consult your vet for a lump diagnosis rather than just waiting it out.

Mast cell tumors are cancerous tumors that can take on a wide range of physical characteristics which can make them hard to diagnose without veterinary intervention. These types of tumors grow very quickly and can metastasize and are notoriously difficult to treat, but with early intervention and the right treatment protocol, they can be treated successfully.

When to Visit a Vet for Lumps and Bumps on Your Dog

We always believe that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to any veterinary concern. It is a far better feeling to waste the cost of a vet visit and know that your dog is just fine than it is to find out that your dog has had a cancerous growth for the past three months and rather than seek veterinary advice, you decided to watch and wait.

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