Wiki Lung mets with lung cancer?

[Mrshonda11]

Patient has a dx of lung cancer. Doctor dictates that patient also has lung mets. Do I code the lung cancer and the mets?

 

[maryyromeo@hotmail.com]

Lung mets

I would say yes, metastasis means that the cancer spread from the first place to another. I would just make sure to use a very specified code for the primary lung cancer.

 

[alannae]

I remember having a discussion with one of the physicians when I first started in oncology. He was frustrated with me because I didn't realize that you can have metastasis within the lung or to the other lung. Yes, you definitely code the primary and mets.

 

[Mrshonda11]

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[traci.susong@gmail.com]

We see this all the time... 162.9 (primary) and 197.0 (traveled to)

 

[traci.susong@gmail.com]

Of course, if you have a more specific dx for the primary location, use that rather than 162.9