Metastatic Breast Cancer ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What are ICD 10 Codes?

ICD 10 refers to the International Classification of Diseases. This coding system is a part of healthcare and helps categorize diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms.

ICD 10 codes are different for primary cancers and for secondary or metastatic cancers.

What is the ICD 10 Code for Metastatic Breast Cancer?

The ICD 10 breast cancer code refers to breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and falls under category C79, "Secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified sites." The specific code for metastatic breast cancer is C79.81.

However, the primary ICD 10 code for breast cancer is C50 and includes a wide array of cancers.

Primary Metastatic Breast Cancer ICD 10 Code: C50

Primary Metastatic Breast Cancer ICD code C50 lookup

Here you will find a table of the breast cancer ICD 10: These are different types of cancers that fall under C50, “metastatic breast cancer.”

breast cancer ICD 10

Types of Metastatic Breast Cancer Coded Under C50

When coding for primary breast cancer, professionals use different codes based on the specific type and characteristics of the breast cancer. Some common types of breast cancer include:

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (ICD-10 code C50.9): This is the most common type of breast cancer where the cancer cells originate in the milk ducts and invade surrounding breast tissue.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (ICD-10 code C50.5): In this type of breast cancer, the cancer cells begin in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast and then spread to nearby tissues.
  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (ICD-10 code D05.1): Also known as DCIS, this is a non-invasive form of breast cancer where abnormal cells get trapped in the milk ducts and have not spread to nearby tissue.
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (ICD-10 code D05.0): Also known as LCIS, this is a non-invasive condition characterized by abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast. It is not considered a true cancer but is a risk factor for developing invasive breast cancer.

It is important to remember that we use the ICD-10 code C79.81 when breast cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body, indicating secondary involvement. The specific sites of metastasis should be documented using additional ICD-10 codes.

Metastatic Breast Cancers Excluded from ICD-10 C79.81

In the ICD-10 coding system, there are certain types of metastatic breast cancers that are not part of the code C79.81, "Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast." These exclusions fall under the category of "excludes" notes in the ICD-10 manual, which means that these specific conditions should not be coded under C79.81.

  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of breast (C44.5): This code is for primary malignant neoplasms of the skin of the breast, such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma originating in the skin rather than spreading from the breast tissue.
  • Malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb (C77.0): This code is for primary malignant neoplasms of the lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit) and upper limb, excluding cases where the breast cancer has spread to these lymph nodes.
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs (C40-C41): These codes are for primary malignant neoplasms of the bones and articular cartilage of the limbs, excluding cases where breast cancer has metastasized to these sites.
  • Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts (C22): This code is for primary malignant neoplasms of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts, excluding cases where breast cancer has metastasized to the liver.

Secondary and Metastatic Breast Cancer ICD 10 code: C79.81

Secondary or Metastatic Breast Cancer ICD-10 Code C79.81 Lookup

The ICD-10 breast cancer codes for secondary or metastatic breast cancers that have metastasized from other areas at C79.81, “secondary malignant neoplasm of breast.” Here are some classifications to provide more specific information about the involved metastatic sites:

1. Metastasis to Bones

  • C79.51: Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
  • C79.52: Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow

2. Metastasis to Liver

  • C79.70: Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver, not specified as to the site
  • C79.71: Secondary malignant neoplasm of intrahepatic bile duct
  • C79.72: Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts

3. Metastasis to Lungs

  • C79.31: Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs
  • C78.01: Secondary malignant neoplasm of lung

4. Metastasis to Brain

  • C79.31: Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs
  • C79.31: Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain

5. Metastasis to Lymph Nodes

  • C77.1: Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intrathoracic lymph nodes
  • C77.2: Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of intra-abdominal lymph nodes

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ICD 10 code for breast cancer C79.81, "Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast," serves as a broad classification for metastatic breast cancer. Professionals use this code when breast cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, establishing secondary tumors in distant organs or tissues.

The proper utilization of the ICD-10 code C79.81 and associated codes ensures that the metastatic breast cancer diagnosis is accurately recorded, contributing to improved patient care, effective treatment planning, and enhanced medical knowledge surrounding this complex disease.