Q: A CT and PET scan performed in August of 2014 are positive for anterior mediastinal and lower paratracheal lymphadenopathy suspicious for lymphoma. A biopsy supports the lymphoma diagnosis. All other workup is negative. What is the primary site? A: Refer to Module 7, PH Rule 20 of the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Neoplasm Coding Manual – Code the primary site to the specific lymph node region when…
Q&A: Melanoma Coding Questions
Q: How is the 1st and 2nd procedure coded in the following melanoma scenario? 1st Procedure: Back lesion, skin punch biopsy of large lesion: Lentiginous malignant melanoma, Clarks level II, 1 mm depth of invasion, ulceration absent, mitoses not identified, all margins are grossly positive. 2nd Procedure: Wide Excision: Residual melanoma, the lesion is .9 cm from the nearest margin. completely excised. A: 1st Procedure is coded to a diagnostic…
Q&A: How do you code first course palliative therapy?
Q: A patient presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis. Palliative radiation therapy was instituted shortly after diagnosis. Is the treatment radiation or palliative care?
Q&A: What is the date of 1st contact for a patient diagnosed elsewhere?
Q: What is the date of 1st contact? Patient presents to another facility and is diagnosed with lung cancer. The patient has a medical oncology consult at your facility 5/1/14. The patient and physician opt for chemotherapy as first course of therapy. The patient begins chemotherapy on 5/21/14.