READER QUESTIONS:
Nix Neoplasm Coding Woes
Published on Sat Apr 28, 2007
Question: I-m confused about how I should report malignant and benign stomach neoplasms. How should I tackle this?
South Carolina Subscriber
Answer: Neoplasms are abnormal, disorganized growths or masses that can appear in the stomach. They can be benign (211.1) or malignant (151.1-151.9).
One example of a benign stomach neoplasm is gastric adenoma--a benign tumor of the glandular epithelial cells lining the stomach that can be a premalignant condition.
What to do: You know that you should report benign tumors using 211.1 (Benign neoplasm of other parts of digestive system; stomach). Because this is the only option for benign stomach neoplasms, you-ve got your answer. Most GI physicians recommend a complete surgical removal, either by an endoscopic approach or laparoscopic wedge resection.
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