Leiomyosarcoma ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What Are ICD 10 Codes?

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. It is a coding system used in healthcare to classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms systematically. CM indicates “Clinical Modification,” which is used in the U.S. for disease diagnoses (ICD-10-CM). ICD-10-PCS codes are used for coding procedures in inpatient settings. Both of these coding systems are used for medical claims and statistics purposes.

World Health Organization (WHO) authorized the International Classification of Diseases for mortality coding and categorization. Although the first edition of this coding system emerged in the 1850s, we have come a long way forward with various revisions of disease classification to meet the challenges of the modern healthcare industry. The U.S. adopted the ICD 9 coding to develop ICD 9-CM and has been using it since 1979. However, this coding system did not sufficiently address the needs of the future trends in the industry. Moreover, the information in ICD 9-CM was not clinically accurate and offered limited data about patients’ medical history and conditions. It was also ineffective in accounting for the hospital (inpatient) procedures. To overcome such gaps, a new coding system ICD 10, emerged to offer more accuracy in mortality data and disease classification. The new version offers quality data to track public health conditions and epidemiological research and measures outcomes of clinical decisions. [¹]

The ICD 10-CM transition allowed easier comparison of mortality and morbidity data, improved the quality of data (by detailed classification of diseases), and laid the ground rules for future classifications (if needed) to support the ever-evolving healthcare industry standards. Although the Ninth Revision (ICD 9-CM) encompassed several variables, it had a limited capacity in terms of coding diseases and assigning them to groups. It is worth noting that the development of ICD 10-CM was an exhausting process and took years of planning and research before its formal adoption in 2015.

In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary cancers (“malignant neoplasms”) and for metastatic lung cancer (“secondary malignant neoplasms”). [²]

What Is the ICD 10 Code for Leiomyosarcoma?

For primary leiomyosarcoma, the general ICD-10 code is C49.9 (malignant neoplasm of the connective and soft tissue, unspecified), whereas for secondary or metastatic tumors, the ICD-10 code is C79.89 (secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites).

Primary Leiomyosarcoma ICD 10 Code: C49.9

Primary Leiomyosarcoma ICD Code C49.9 Lookup

The ICD 10 leiomyosarcoma code for primary cancer forms, which is classified under C49.9, “malignant neoplasm of the connective and soft tissue, unspecified.” [³] does not have separate coding for subsites.

Types of Leiomyosarcoma Coded Under C49.9

The ICD 10 code C49.9 does not specify the subtype of glioblastoma. A C49.9 code can also apply to leiomyosarcoma of various cell types. We have covered the types (based on the region of occurrence) below.

• LMS of the somatic soft tissue
• Cutaneous of subcutaneous LMS
• LMS of a vascular region

Since the blood vessels in the body have soft tissue (involuntary muscles), leiomyosarcoma may occur in any part with soft connective tissues.

Secondary and Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma ICD 10 Code: C79.89

Secondary or Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma ICD 10 Code C79.89 Lookup

Secondary or metastatic cancers spread from other parts of the body after affecting the primary site. The cancers metastasized from other locations may form the same tumor as in the primary site. The ICD 10 leiomyosarcoma code for secondary leiomyosarcoma, or leiomyosarcoma metastasized from other locations, is C79.89, “secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites.” [⁴]

Conclusion

The ICD 10 code for leiomyosarcoma depends on the origin of cancer development. Cancer may develop in the body’s somatic soft tissue, pilo erector muscles (rare), or a primary blood vessel (vascular region). Patients diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma may be treated based on the type of LMS they have. While valid, each type falls under the C49.9 code, which is a specific code for this condition with no subsites. The ICD coding system does not specify the exact location of leiomyosarcoma but provides sufficient information based on the coding classification. Please note that the evaluation of the ICD 10 code depends on multiple factors. The origin and pathophysiology of the tumor play a crucial role in assigning codes. Moreover, a patient’s pre-determined health condition (due to leiomyosarcoma) contributes to code classification equally.