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Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 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 systematically classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms. CM indicates “Clinical Modification,” and 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.
In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors (“malignant neoplasms”) and for secondary or metastasized tumors (“secondary malignant neoplasms”).
The International Classification of Diseases was developed in the 1850s as a system to standardize medical records and data using a single coding system. The ICD-10 (10th edition) began in 1983 with the World Health Organization managing the official list of codes. Countries that have adopted the ICD-10 have modified them based on their specific healthcare system requirements.
The U.S. version of the ICD-10[1] was constructed in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The code consists of two sets of medical codes the ICD-10-PCS and the ICD-10-CM. The former is mainly used for coding procedures used in inpatient settings, while the latter is used for disease diagnosis.
ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. It is a coding system used in healthcare to systematically classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms. CM indicates “Clinical Modification,” and 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. In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors (“malignant neoplasms”) and for secondary or metastasized tumors (“secondary malignant neoplasms”).
What is the ICD 10 Code for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?
When a person is diagnosed with cancer it basically means that the cells in a certain area of the body have multiplied uncontrollably, which has resulted in a malignant neoplasm or abnormal tissue growth. These cancer cells not only destroy other healthy tissue they come in contact with but can also spread to other parts of the body, causing widespread tissue damage.
The colon or large intestine is built as an upside-down U, with the first portion of it being in the lower right corner of the abdomen. This continues upwards, running across the abdomen before descending downwards. This is then followed by an S-shaped segment which is located at the bottom left-hand side of the abdomen and merges with the last part of the large intestine, which is the rectum.
The coding systems are used for statistical purposes as well as for processing medical claims. "ICD" denotes the International Classification of Diseases, while the numerical figure "10" denotes the edition (the classification is currently in its 10th edition). ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors (malignant neoplasms) and secondary or metastasized tumors (secondary malignant neoplasms).[2] The following are the stages of metastatic colorectal cancer:
/0 – The tumor is considered to be benign. At this stage, the cells that are present in the tissue will start multiplying uncontrollably. But, these cells are not able to destroy any of the surrounding tissue or spread to other areas of the body.
/1 – It isn't certain if the tumor is malignant or benign.
/2 – This means the cancer is at an early stage. In this precancerous stage, the cells are altered and begin multiplying uncontrollably, but the cells are still in the area they originated in and have not spread to other organs or parts of the body.
/3 – The cancer is malignant. At this stage, the cancerous cells which are in the tissue are altered, starting to multiply at an uncontrolled pace. During this stage, the cancer cells are also able to spread to other areas of the body and destroy any of the surrounding tissue the cells come in contact with.
/6 – It's a metastasis. This is where the cancer cells have spread from the site that it originally affected to another site in the body and has continued to multiply there.
/9 – It's malignant cancer or at a stage of metastasis. This is when the cells that are present in the affected tissue have been forcibly altered and multiply uncontrollably. It is not clear to say whether the cells have been derived from the site that has been affected or if the cells have spread from another part of the body.
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon and the rectum. The colon is the large intestine, while the rectum is the passageway through which the colon connects with the anus. Colorectal cancer is found in both men and women and mostly affects people above the age of 50.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, colorectal cancer screening should be used by adults of 50 years and above and should be carried out until the person reaches 75 years of age. Other steps to diagnose possible colorectal cancer include a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and fecal occult blood testing.[3]
Primary Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ICD 10 Code: C18
Colon cancer develops from growths, also known as polyps, within the inner lining of the colon. During metastasis, the cancerous cells break away from the primary polyp or growth and spread to other parts of the body via the lymph system and bloodstream, and end up forming new tumors in other parts of the body.
Primary Colorectal Cancer ICD Code C18 lookup
In the case of metastatic colorectal cancer, the malignant cells form within the lining of both the intestine and the rectum and break off easily, spreading to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic vessels. [4] The cecum is the very beginning of the colon, and its function is to aid in the digestive process of the colon. It is the first part of the large intestine that receives digested food from the small colon and also makes up for up to 20% of all colorectal cancer cases.[5]
C18: Malignant neoplasm of metastatic colorectal cancer
Types of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Coded Under C18
The following are the types of metastatic colorectal cancers coded under C18; Malignant neoplasm of cecum, Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon, Malignant neoplasm of hepatic flexure, Malignant neoplasm of transverse colon, Malignant neoplasm of splenic flexure, Malignant neoplasm of descending colon, Malignant neoplasm of sigmoid colon, Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of colon, Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified, Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction, Malignant neoplasm of rectum, Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of rectum, anus and anal canal, Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum, Secondary malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum, Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of colon, Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of rectum.
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer excluded from ICD-10 C18
While the ICD-10 code C18 is applicable to malignant neoplasm of ileocecal valve, it does not apply to others, such as, malignant neoplasm of ileum or cancer of ileum.[6]
Secondary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ICD 10 Code: C18
Colorectal cancer is the most common neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract and is considered to be the third most frequent malignancy in the world. The general idea is that the metastasis or spread of the tumor occurs during the later stages of the disease and only gets worse as the disease progresses.
Secondary or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ICD-10 Code C18 Lookup
The ICD 10 metastatic colorectal cancer codes for secondary colorectal cancers, or colon cancers that have metastasized from other origins are C18, “Secondary malignant neoplasm of the colon." [7] Primary and secondary malignancies are associated with a variety of factors; for instance, environmental risk factors, hereditary susceptibility, and the individual's lifestyle.
Conclusion
Metastatic colorectal cancer is used to describe the stage of cancer where the cancerous cells have started to detach from the original tumor and have started to spread to other areas of the body through the lymph system and the blood.
Metastatic colorectal cancer is diagnosed with the help of imaging tests to identify the tumor and the extent to which the cancer has spread. The physician will also perform a biopsy on a tumor to find out whether or not it is metastatic. Another imaging test that is used to diagnose metastatic colorectal cancer is a C.T. scan. Metastatic colorectal cancer is considered to be rarely curable.
This is mainly because of several factors, such as the individual's age, gender, health condition, and potential for side effects with the cancer treatment.