Reader Question:
189.3 vs. 223.81 Depends on Pathology
Published on Thu Aug 18, 2011
Question: What ICD-9 Code should I use when the doctor documents "tumor of the urothelium of the prostatic urethra"? Florida Subscriber Answer: If the tumor is malignant you should use 189.3 (Malignant neoplasm of kidney and other and unspecified urinary organs: urethra). However, if benign, use 223.81 (Benign neoplasm of urethra) instead. Alternative: For a polyp of the urethra, use 600.20 (Benign localized hyperplasia of prostate without urinary obstruction and other lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS]) or 600.21 (... with urinary obstruction and other lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS]). If you don't know the pathology of the tumor and are billing before you have the pathology report, you should use 239.5 (Neoplasms of unspecified nature; other genitourinary organs) to indicate the pending pathology.
