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HeadingPapillary Thyroid 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 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.
What is the ICD 10 Code for Papillary Thyroid Cancer?
The ICD-10 code for papillary thyroid cancer is C73. [2] Papillary thyroid cancer, also known as papillary thyroid carcinoma, is one of the most common types of thyroid cancer. More often than not, papillary thyroid cancer is completely asymptomatic. That being said, the most complained about symptom of papillary thyroid cancer is the growth of a noticeable mass on the neck. This is a solid, irregular mass that develops from normal thyroid tissue.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ICD 10 Code: C73
ICD-10 Code C73 is a billable code that is used for indicating both the diagnosis of a specific medical condition and for the proper reimbursement of funds.
While the metastasis of the lymph node in the neck may be a frequent occurrence, it does not have a higher mortality rate. However, the distant metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer is considered to be relatively uncommon, but when they do occur, it could also spread to other areas of the body, mainly the lungs, bone, and liver. It should be noted that if papillary thyroid cancer has invaded surrounding tissue in close proximity to the thyroid gland, it will have a worse prognosis due to the high local rate of recurrence.
/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.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ICD Code C73 Lookup
The thyroid is an organ that's located at the base of the neck. The gland requires iodine for the production of crucial messenger substances which influence various important functions of the body, such as regulating the body temperature, digestion, and heartbeat. The presence of cancer in any area of the body results in the uncontrollable multiplying of cells.
The cancerous cells could destroy healthy tissue while it spread throughout the body. If the cancerous cells break away from their point of origin, it can result in the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, where it can grow new cancerous tumors.
Not all cancers are the same; while some may progress quickly, others may take months or years to show any signs or symptoms. When it comes to papillary thyroid cancer, one of the first symptoms that an individual may experience is finding it difficult to swallow and breathe. The lump that develops in the neck could result in developing a hoarse voice.
C73: Malignant Neoplasm of Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Types of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Coded Under C73
ICD-10 C73 covers malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland, malignant neoplasm of the adrenal gland, and malignant neoplasm of other endocrine glands and related structures. Papillary thyroid cancers [3] are slow-growing cancers that are differentiated because they tend to develop from the follicular cells and may develop in either one or both lobes of the thyroid gland. It is also not uncommon for papillary thyroid cancer to spread to other lymph nodes which are nearby. The good news is that the condition is relatively treatable, provided there has been a good prognosis.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer Excluded from ICD-10 C73
There are certain types of cancers that have been excluded from the papillary thyroid cancer ICD-10 C73 code; these include malignant carcinoid tumors (C7A.0), malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland (C74.), malignant neoplasm of endocrine pancreas (C25.4), malignant neoplasm of islets of Langerhans (C25.4), malignant neoplasm of ovary (C56.), malignant neoplasm of testis (C62.), malignant neoplasm of thymus (C37), malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland (C73), and malignant neuroendocrine tumors (C74). [4]
Secondary and Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer ICD 10 Code: C73
Secondary or metastatic cancer are those that spread to other areas of the body after impacting the primary site of the cancer. In the case of papillary thyroid cancer, once the cancerous cells break off, they can spread via the blood and the lymph system to other areas of the body, including the bone, lungs, and liver. [5]
Secondary or metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer ICD-10 Code C73 Lookup
The ICD-10 code for secondary thyroid cancer is C79.89. This ICD-10 code is used when the thyroid cancer has metastasized from other locations and is also known as secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites.
Conclusion
The good news is papillary thyroid cancer has a high cure rate and an average of 90% 10-year survival rate, which is considered to be the highest when compared to other types of cancers. The ICD-10 code for papillary thyroid cancer may develop in either one or both of the lobes in the thyroid gland. Regardless of the type of thyroid cancer, it is all included in ICD-10 code C73 for primary malignancy, which is a code that has got on subsites. While no specific site is mentioned in the coding system for thyroid cancer, it has classified the condition into a separate coding category.