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Recurrent versus Metastastes

K

KMayercsik

Networker
Messages
64
First off, I do know the difference between local recurrence and distant recurrence.
We have a patient that had treatment for supraglottic cancer, 2012, treated and eradicated.
The patient returns with a mediastinal mass, no biopsy, no pathology. The doctor is stating 'recurrent head and neck cancer of the mediastinum'. There is PET stating a mediastinal mass that is 'certainly malignant'.
Do I code mediastinal mass (R22.2) or (J98.9).
All advice is appreciated and needed!
 
If the physician statement states recurrent head and neck ca of the mediastinum. Then it is metastatic cancer with a history of a primary. So code the mediastinum as secondary (metastatic) and you head and neck cancer as history of. Sequence the secondary neoplasm first and the history of code second. I will not give you the codes, as I feel it is important that you look them up. This is the logic for which codes you need. Neither the R22.2 nor the J98.9 is correct.
 
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