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C50.919
ICD-10-CM
Breast Cancer (Right)

Find comprehensive information on Right Breast Cancer, including clinical documentation and medical coding for Right Breast Carcinoma and Right Breast Malignancy. This resource offers guidance on diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare management of breast cancer specifically affecting the right breast. Learn about relevant medical coding terms and best practices for accurate clinical documentation of this diagnosis.

Also known as

Right Breast Carcinoma
Right Breast Malignancy

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Malignant tumor originating in the right breast tissue.
  • Clinical Signs : Lump, nipple changes, skin dimpling, swelling, pain. May be asymptomatic.
  • Common Settings : Mammography screening, breast self-exam, physician exam, biopsy.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC C50.919 Coding
C50

Malignant neoplasm of breast

Covers all malignant tumors of the breast, right or left.

Z85

Personal history of malignant neoplasm

Used for history of breast cancer, including right breast.

C79.81

Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast

Indicates breast cancer that spread from another site.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the right breast cancer invasive?

  • Yes

    Is there in situ component?

  • No

    Is it ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Cancer in the right breast tissue.
Cancer in the left breast tissue.
Cancer in both breasts.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Right breast cancer laterality documented
  • Confirmed diagnosis basis (e.g., biopsy, imaging)
  • Tumor characteristics (size, type, grade, stage)
  • Lymph node involvement specified (if any)
  • Receptor status (ER, PR, HER2) if available

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Miscoding

    Incorrect coding of right breast as left or unspecified, impacting treatment and staging data accuracy. Keywords: ICD-10-CM, C50.xxx, coding validation, medical coding audit.

  • Histology Specificity

    Lack of specific histology documentation may lead to generic coding, affecting cancer registry data and reimbursement. Keywords: SNOMED CT, morphology, CDI query, coding compliance.

  • Staging Documentation

    Missing or incomplete staging information (TNM) can lead to inaccurate coding and impact quality reporting. Keywords: TNM staging, AJCC, abstracting, healthcare compliance audit.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document laterality, tumor size, and receptor status for accurate coding (ICD-10 C50).
  • Ensure complete staging (TNM) and histology for proper reimbursement and CDI.
  • Follow NCCN guidelines for optimal treatment plans and compliance.
  • Genetic testing (BRCA1/2) aids risk assessment and personalized medicine.
  • Timely follow-up care and documentation improves patient outcomes and reduces risk.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm laterality: Right breast imaging/biopsy documented
  • Verify ICD-10: C50.xxx codes specificity (site/morphology)
  • Check stage using TNM system, document in clinical note
  • Review pathology report: Histological type, grade recorded

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Breast Cancer (Right) Diagnosis Reimbursement: Accurate coding (ICD-10 C50.-) impacts payer reimbursement and minimizes claim denials. Optimize medical billing for optimal revenue cycle management.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Proper coding and staging (AJCC) affect hospital quality reporting for breast cancer care. Accurate data is crucial for performance benchmarking and value-based care.
  • Coding Accuracy: Precise laterality (right breast) coding (ICD-10 C50.0-C50.6, C50.8, C50.9) ensures correct diagnosis capture for treatment and outcome analysis. Avoid unspecified codes for maximum reimbursement.
  • Hospital Reporting: Complete and accurate breast cancer diagnosis reporting influences hospital cancer registry data, impacting resource allocation and treatment strategies.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the key differential diagnoses to consider when a patient presents with a suspected right breast carcinoma, and how can I effectively differentiate between them?

A: When a patient presents with signs or symptoms suggestive of right breast carcinoma, it's crucial to consider several key differential diagnoses, including fibroadenoma, breast cyst, fat necrosis, intraductal papilloma, and inflammatory breast conditions like mastitis or abscess. Differentiating between these requires a thorough clinical evaluation encompassing patient history (including age, family history, and menstrual cycle), physical examination (palpation for lumps, skin changes, nipple discharge), and imaging studies (mammography, ultrasound, and potentially MRI). Histopathological analysis via core needle biopsy or surgical excision is often the definitive diagnostic method to confirm right breast carcinoma and distinguish it from benign conditions. Consider implementing a standardized diagnostic pathway for suspected breast lesions to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis. Explore how integrating advanced imaging techniques can improve diagnostic accuracy in challenging cases.

Q: How do current staging guidelines (e.g., TNM) inform treatment planning for right-sided breast cancer, and what are the implications for surgical approaches (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) in different stages?

A: Current staging guidelines, particularly the TNM system (Tumor, Node, Metastasis), play a critical role in treatment planning for right-sided breast cancer. The T stage describes the size and extent of the primary tumor, N stage reflects lymph node involvement, and M stage indicates the presence or absence of distant metastases. These factors collectively determine the overall stage (I-IV), which informs treatment decisions. For early-stage right breast cancer (e.g., T1-2, N0-1, M0), breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) followed by radiation therapy is often a viable option. However, mastectomy may be considered for larger tumors, multifocal disease, or patient preference. In locally advanced stages (e.g., T3-4, N2-3, M0) or inflammatory breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor. Learn more about the nuances of TNM staging and its impact on surgical decision-making in right breast cancer. Explore how multidisciplinary tumor boards can contribute to individualized treatment planning based on staging and other patient-specific factors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code C50.911, right breast
  • Document laterality, morphology
  • Check for mets, stage precisely
  • Use SNOMED CT, ICD-10-CM
  • Confirm diagnosis, avoid NOS

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with concerns regarding a right breast lump, prompting evaluation for right breast cancer.  Symptoms include palpable mass in the right breast, accompanied by intermittent sharp pain and skin changes described as dimpling.  The patient denies nipple discharge, fever, or weight loss.  Family history is positive for breast cancer in her mother.  Physical examination reveals a firm, irregular, non-mobile mass approximately 2 cm in diameter located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast.  Right axillary lymphadenopathy is noted.  Mammography demonstrates a spiculated density in the right breast correlating with the palpable finding, suggestive of malignancy.  Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the right breast mass was performed.  Pathology report confirms invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast, estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, and HER2 negative.  Diagnosis of right breast cancer is confirmed.  The patient was counseled regarding treatment options including lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.  The patient will be referred to medical oncology and surgical oncology for further evaluation and treatment planning.  Staging workup will be initiated to assess for metastatic disease.  Patient education provided regarding breast cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in one week to discuss the treatment plan.