Wiki current cancer code vs history of

[sundaey]

Hello everyone,

I worked in oncology for 6 months and was told that you can use the active cancer codes for up to 3 years from the time that a patient is diagnosed. Does anyone else know about this? TIA

 

[mitchellde]

the active cancer code is used for as long as the neoplasm is being treated. For some conditions such as breast cancer that is treated long term with tamoxifen, then yes you continue to use an active cancer code since that is a drug that treats cancer cells. Once there is no evidence of disease and there is no active treatment then the cancer is history. Coding clinic M-J 1987 (I think that is the right year)

 

[sharevans]

I agree with Debra. See ICD-9-CM coding guidelines Chapter 2: Neoplasms