Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
Code for Thyroid Tumors as Benign or Malignant
Question: Our oncologist confirmed the diagnosis of a follicular neoplasm of the thyroid gland. Do we report this as benign or malignant? Are thyroid follicular neoplasms always malignant?
Wisconsin Subscriber
Answer: For a benign thyroid gland neoplasm, you would report code 226 (Benign neoplasm of thyroid glands). You report code 193 (Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland) for malignant thyroid cancer, whether it is papillary, follicular, medullary, or poorly differentiated type.
Follicular cancers of the thyroid gland may be benign or malignant. The former are referred to as follicular adenomas. Your oncologist will remove the lobe of the thyroid and confirm the diagnosis on histopathology. Fine needle aspiration and cytological examination does not help to confirm the diagnosis.
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