Urology Coding Alert

Question: A prostate biopsy reveals "high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN-III)." What is the correct diagnosis code to use?

New York Subscriber

Answer: You should use 233.4 (Carcinoma in situ of breast and genitourinary system: Prostate) for high-grade PIN III. Many urologists consider these cellular changes to be early changes leading to the formation of carcinoma of the prostate.

Don't miss: Code 602.3 (Dysplasia of prostate, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, PIN I and PIN II) represents a lesser degree of cellular abnormality of the prostate. Therefore, since 233.4 is for high-grade PIN, which your urologist indicates this patient has, 233.4 is the more appropriate code in this case.