Thermal wounds following heating pad use.

Ms. C, a 59-year-old female, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and underwent a right-sided, modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. The exact number of lymph nodes sampled is unknown; however, those sampled were negative for disease and adjuvant treatment was not necessary. In 1999, Ms. C developed recurrent disease that had metastasized to the sternum. She was referred to a radiation oncologist for a palliative radiation therapy evaluation. Upon physical examination, the patient appeared to have two burn sites on the lateral aspect of the right scapular area. According to Ms. C, the injury resulted from falling asleep on a heating pad. She complained of patchy numbness and decreased sensation in the burn area and her right arm, which had been present since her modified radical mastectomy. She reported occasional pain in the surgical area that she “learned to live with.” When interviewing Ms. C, it became evident that she was unaware that she should not use a heating pad on an area of patchy numbness and decreased sensation.