Wiki Neoplasms

[markbretana]

Current CMS guide lines do not referrence how to code if a neoplasm is not indicated as primary or secondary. Some coding books specify that if the neoplasm is not noted as primary or secondary we code primary. Numerous other texts indicate only code as primary if the cancer is not from bone, brain, lymph et cetera. CMS guidelines do not address this. I am looking for opinions and additional information regarding this. As always Thanks.

 

[mitchellde]

In the july/august 1985 edition of Coding clinics, the AHA did address this very thing. If the physician states lung cancer, we code it as primary, if the physician states liver cancer we code that as secondary with unknown primary. It goes to the logic as what is more common as primary and what is more common as secondary sites. In that coding clinic they give a list of sites more common as secondary. It takes all the mystery out!