Wiki current cancer code vs history code

[rview2003]

Can anyone tell me if there is a timeframe as to when cancer is coded as current vs history of? Pt had carcinoma of brain found 1st in 12/10 however doctor felt it had metastasized from lung. , had 4 weeks radiation after surgical removal of cancer, last doce was 2/11. Would you code current cancer or history of?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[traci.susong@gmail.com]

From the ICD-9 coding guidelines:

Primary malignancy previously excised
When a primary malignancy has been previously excised or
eradicated from its site and there is no further treatment directed
to that site and there is no evidence of any existing primary
malignancy, a code from category V10, Personal history of
malignant neoplasm, should be used to indicate the former
site of the malignancy. Any mention of extension, invasion,
or metastasis to another site is coded as a secondary malignant
neoplasm to that site. The secondary site may be the principal or
first-listed with the V10 code used as a secondary code.

 

[mitchellde]

Agree with Traci, and remember you only code history of the primary so if the metastatic site is no longer active with no treatment it is no longer coded. so what you need to look for is if there is any ongoing treatment for the brain cancer to tell you if it is history of or still active.