Squamous cell or head & neck

[Mrshonda11]

Patient has squamous cell carcinoma of ear (173.22) which has spread to nodes in the neck. Since the cancer has spread, would it be correct to code as head and neck cancer? Doctor is stating that the head and neck code would be more accurate.

 

[jessica81680@comcast.net]

I would code squamous cell carcinoma of the ear (173.22) with metastatis to the neck nodes (196.0).

 

[cgrussell]

I agree. If you code head and neck ca, that is not telling the true progressionof the disease. You should code the primary site and the secondary site.

 

[Mrshonda11]

Thanks for your help!

 

[dtricia]

Head and Neck Cancer

I was just searching this Forum for information on this Cancer. I find it a difficult dx to comprehend as it seems vague to me. I am looking at a path report now and the dx is squamous cell carcinoma of scalp and skin of neck. There is metastasis to multiple lymph nodes. But the 195.0 has an excludes note for secondary sites 196.8-what's up with that

Provider has coded this 195.0

Tricia D