Understanding Adenomatous Colon Polyps, also known as Colon Adenomas including Tubular Adenomas and Villous Adenomas, is crucial for accurate healthcare documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on diagnosis, clinical significance, and appropriate medical coding terms for Adenomatous Colon Polyps to support healthcare professionals in clinical settings.
Also known as
Polyp of colon
This code specifies the presence of a polyp in the colon.
Benign neoplasm of colon, rectum, anus
This code encompasses benign growths in the colon, rectum, and anus.
Diseases of intestine and colon
This broader category includes various intestinal and colon conditions.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the polyp confirmed as adenomatous?
Yes
Is the polyp tubular, villous, or tubulovillous?
No
Do NOT code as adenomatous polyp. Review pathology report for alternative diagnosis.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Benign colon growth with potential for cancer. |
| Cancer arising from glandular cells in the colon. |
| Inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon and rectum. |
Lack of documentation specifying polyp size (e.g., <1cm) impacts coding accuracy and potential surveillance guidelines.
Incomplete histology descriptions (tubular, villous, tubulovillous) can lead to incorrect code assignment and affect reimbursement.
Missing documentation of the number of polyps found impacts code selection (e.g., single vs. multiple) and subsequent management.
Q: What are the most effective surveillance guidelines for adenomatous colon polyps, including tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, and colon adenoma, after polypectomy?
A: Surveillance guidelines for adenomatous colon polyps post-polypectomy vary depending on factors such as polyp size, number, histology (tubular, villous, or tubulovillous), and presence of high-grade dysplasia. Generally, for small (<1cm) hyperplastic polyps, surveillance may not be necessary. For one or two small (<1cm) tubular adenomas, a repeat colonoscopy in 5-10 years is often recommended. For three to ten adenomas, or any adenoma >=1cm, or any adenoma with high-grade dysplasia, or villous features, follow up colonoscopy is typically recommended sooner, often within 3 years. For patients with more than ten adenomas, consideration should be given to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and shorter surveillance intervals (1-2 years). Adherence to established guidelines like those from the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and other reputable organizations is crucial. Explore how our platform integrates these guidelines for seamless clinical decision-making.
Q: How can I differentiate between tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, and colon adenoma histologically and understand their respective malignant potential?
A: Histologically, tubular adenomas are characterized by tube-shaped glands lined by dysplastic epithelium. Villous adenomas have finger-like projections of dysplastic epithelium, and tubulovillous adenomas exhibit a mixture of both tubular and villous features. Tubular adenomas are the most common and generally carry the lowest risk of malignancy. Villous adenomas, particularly those larger than 2cm, are associated with a higher risk of malignancy. The degree of dysplasia (low-grade vs. high-grade) within the adenoma also significantly impacts malignant potential. High-grade dysplasia indicates a greater likelihood of progression to adenocarcinoma. Consider implementing standardized pathology reporting procedures to ensure accurate classification and assessment of malignant potential. Learn more about advanced histopathological analysis techniques for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Patient presents with concerns regarding colon polyps, specifically adenomatous colon polyps. Review of systems includes discussion of bowel habits, including frequency, consistency, and any presence of blood in stool (hematochezia, melena). Patient's past medical history, family history of colon cancer, and any previous colonoscopy findings, including tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, or colon adenoma, are reviewed. Physical examination may include abdominal palpation and digital rectal exam. Diagnostic evaluation for adenomatous polyps includes colonoscopy with biopsy. Procedure details including location, size, and morphology of the polyp are documented. Histopathology report confirms the diagnosis of adenomatous colon polyp. Differential diagnoses considered include hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, and other colorectal neoplasms. The patient was counseled on the importance of colonoscopy surveillance due to the premalignant nature of adenomatous polyps and the risk of colorectal cancer. Treatment plan includes polypectomy during colonoscopy and recommendations for follow-up colonoscopy based on polyp size, number, and histology. Patient education regarding lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, and the importance of adherence to surveillance guidelines are discussed. ICD-10 code D12.6 (Benign neoplasm of colon) is used for pre-operative diagnosis coding, which may be updated after the pathology report. CPT codes for colonoscopy and polypectomy are recorded for billing purposes.