Physical trauma resulting in cancer is relatively rare.^[28] Claims that breaking bone resulted in bone cancer, for example, have never been proven.^[28] Similarly, physical trauma is not accepted as a cause for cervical cancer, breast cancer, or brain cancer.^[28]

One accepted source is frequent, long-term application of hot objects to the body. It is possible that repeated burns on the same part of the body, such as those produced by kanger and kairo heaters (charcoalhand warmers), may produce skin cancer, especially if carcinogenic chemicals are also present.^[28] Frequently drinking scalding hot tea may produce esophageal cancer.^[28]

Generally, it is believed that the cancer arises, or a pre-existing cancer is encouraged, during the process of repairing the trauma, rather than the cancer being caused directly by the trauma.^[28] However, repeated injuries to the same tissues might promote excessive cell proliferation, which could then increase the odds of a cancerous mutation. There is no evidence that inflammation itself causes cancer.^[28]