Small Cell Lung Cancer ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What are ICD-10 codes?

ICD-10 is the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, a standardized system of alphanumeric codes that medically classify diseases, symptoms, complaints, procedures, and abnormal findings.[¹]

First developed in the early 19th century and currently maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO), the ICD-10 codes are used extensively in the healthcare industry, as listed below:[²][³]

• Assist is accurate reporting and recording of medical conditions
• Provide a common language for healthcare professionals, from providers to policymakers
• Assist in billing and reimbursement procedures

Many countries have adopted and modified the original ICD-10 list according to the needs of their respective healthcare system, such as the US currently utilizes two variations:

• ICD-10-CM (clinical modification) – is used for disease diagnosis and has around 68,000 codes
• ICD-10-PCS (procedure coding system) - is used for inpatient medical procedures and has approximately 70,000 codes

ICD-10 codes C00 – D49 are used for active cancer under treatment as this range defines malignant neoplasms as given below:

• C00 – C97 is for malignant neoplasms
• D00 – D09 is for in situ neoplasms
• D10 – D36 is for benign neoplasms
• D37 – D49 is for neoplasms of unknown or uncertain behavior

It is important to note that these ICD-10 codes are only for primary tumors (“malignant neoplasms”). A different range of alphanumeric codes represents secondary or metastasized tumors (“secondary malignant neoplasms”).[¹]

Furthermore, although the terms cancer and neoplasm are used interchangeably, these are two different medical conditions, as neoplasms can be noncancerous or cancerous.[⁴]

What is the ICD 10 code for small cell lung cancer?

The ICD 10 code for primary small cell lung cancer is C34, which defines malignant neoplasm of the bronchus and lung. [⁵]

Additionally, the ICD 10 code for secondary small cell lung cancer, i.e., metastasized from elsewhere, is C78.0, which is for secondary malignant neoplasm of the lung. [⁶]

Further specifications are detailed below.

Primary small cell lung cancer 10 code: C34

Primary small cell lung cancer ICD 10 code C34 lookup

The table below lists the ICD-10 lung cancer codes for primary small cell lung cancers classified under C34. [⁵]

C34: Malignant neoplasm of the lung [5]

Types of small cell lung cancer included under C34

The ICD 10 code C34 covers all subtypes of small cell lung cancer, the two primary being small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer) and combined small cell carcinoma. [⁷]

In other words, small cell carcinoma ICD 10, oat cell cancer ICD 10, and combined small cell carcinoma ICD 10 can all be defined within C34 if they are primary malignant neoplasms of the lung, regardless of stage.

For example, a patient with stage 1 small cell lung cancer in the upper lobe of the left lung would be given the code C34.12.

Small cell lung cancers excluded from ICD-10 C34

As small cell lung cancers are malignant neoplasms, they are generally included in C34. The only types of lung cancers excluded from this code are Kaposi’s sarcoma of the lung and malignant carcinoid tumor of the bronchus and lung, which are given the alternative codes C46.5 and C7A.090, respectively.[⁵]

Secondary and metastatic small cell lung cancer ICD 10 code: C78

Secondary or metastatic small cell lung cancer ICD 10 code C78lookup

The ICD-10 lung cancer codes for secondary small cell lung cancer, or cancers that have metastasized from other parts of the body, is C78, i.e., secondary malignant neoplasm of the lungs. [⁶]

This code is further divided as given below:

• C78.00 – secondary malignant neoplasm of the unspecified lung
• C78.01 – secondary malignant neoplasm of the right lung
• C78.02 – secondary malignant neoplasm of the left lung

Conclusion

The ICD-10 code for small cell lung cancer depends on several factors, including the specific site of malignancy and if the cancerous cells are a primary or secondary growth. Broadly speaking, primary small cell lung cancer falls under ICD-10 C34, while secondary small cell lung cancer is included under C78.

However, these ICD-10 codes do not specify the small cell lung cancer subtype or any other type of malignant growth within the lungs. As a result, cases of different types of lung cancer in the same location will have the same ICD-10 code.

Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to clarify the specifics of a patient’s case of small cell lung cancer for accurate reporting and recording. This includes understanding the anatomical site of origin, cell behavior, and subtype of the malignant growth, along with any treatments, complications, pre-existing issues, and underlying conditions the patient may have.