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Excision of breast lesion or lumpectomy?

B

Bookikiluke

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Arlington, TX
I am having trouble understanding and hoping someone can help clarify. I am a newish coder and I'm working through some practice materials. I have gotten this one incorrect a couple of times now. The operative notes state "excision of breast mass". I want to code as lumpectomy but the correct answer is excision of breast lesion. How can I help myself recognize the difference in the future. I am really confused by this and I'm sure it's an easy answer.

Thanks!

Ginger
 
A lumpectomy would be the removal of a cancerous tissue from the breast, whereas the documentation as you've stated is a breast mass. There is no clarification as to whether or not it is cancerous, so we can not assume. Therefore, the procedure would be reported as an excision of breast lesion (benign lesion).
 
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