Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Microinvasion Implies Malignancy
Published on Wed Dec 04, 2013
Question: The patient’s clinical note states a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. The pathology report also states microinvasion present. How do we report this condition? Is it correct to report code 233.0?
Mississippi Subscriber
Answer: Because the pathology report confirms microinvasion, code 233.0 (Carcinoma in situ of breast) does not apply. Your case describes a malignant infiltrating cancer of the breast. For an infiltrating ductal carcinoma, you report code 174.8 (Malignant neoplasm of other sites of female breast).
You report code 233.0 for in situ breast cancers. By definition, in situ carcinomas are not invasive into the surrounding tissues.
Other Articles in this issue of
Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
- 5 Tips Increase Your Coding Precision for Intracavitary Chemotherapy
Your guide to the correct code is the site, not the duration, of chemotherapy. When [...] - Prepare for Detailed Coding for Acute DVT in 2014
Laterality is your guide to the best DVT code. Coding for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) [...] - Deep Vein Thrombosis in Cancer Patients
Your oncologist may frequently diagnose a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in cancer patients. This is [...] - CPT® 2014:
Assess These Opportunities to Use New Phone/Internet Consult Codes
When reporting 99446-99449, focus on time spent and ensure both verbal and written reports. Starting [...] - You Be the Coder:
Code Neuroendocrine Tumors with Accuracy
Question: Our oncologist has documented the diagnosis as ‘well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with 2 lesions [...] - Reader Question:
Check for Site of Sezary Disease
Question: What is the correct diagnosis code for Sezary’s disease? Florida Subscriber Answer: For Sezary’s [...] - Reader Question:
Report Diagnosis Confirmed in Pathology Report
Question: We need to report a diagnosis of gastric cancer. The biopsy report states invasive [...] - Reader Question:
Code for Thyroid Tumors as Benign or Malignant
Question: Our oncologist confirmed the diagnosis of a follicular neoplasm of the thyroid gland. Do [...] - Reader Question:
Microinvasion Implies Malignancy
Question: The patient’s clinical note states a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. [...] - Reader Question:
Distinguish Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Question: How is a bone marrow aspiration different from a bone marrow biopsy? Ohio Subscriber [...]
View All
