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Oncology/Hematology Coding:

Look to This Scenario to Master Metastatic CSF Cancer Coding

Published on Mon Dec 01, 2025

Question: A patient had a lumbar puncture that showed metastatic breast cancer to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). What diagnosis code would you use for the secondary CSF? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: You would code breast cancer metastatic to CSF to C79.49 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of other parts of nervous system). Here’s why: You won’t find CSF or spinal fluid in the [...]
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