Find comprehensive information on pancreatic cancer, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about pancreatic neoplasm diagnosis, treatment options, and support services for patients with cancer of the pancreas. This resource provides relevant information for healthcare professionals, coders, and individuals seeking information on pancreatic cancer.
Also known as
Malignant neoplasm of pancreas
Covers all malignant tumors of the pancreas, specifying location.
Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites
Includes secondary pancreatic cancer spread from a primary site elsewhere.
Malignant neoplasm without specification of site
Used for disseminated pancreatic cancer when the primary site is unknown.
Benign neoplasm of pancreas
While not cancerous, included for related pancreatic neoplasms.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the pancreatic cancer specified as in situ?
Yes
Code D01.51
No
Is the pancreatic cancer malignant?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Malignant tumor of the pancreas. |
| Benign tumor of the pancreas. |
| Cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. |
Coding C25 without laterality (right, left, head, tail) may lead to claim denials or inaccurate reporting.
Pancreatic cancer encompasses various histologies. Accurate code assignment requires confirming histology with pathology report.
Missing or incomplete staging information (TNM) can impact reimbursement and quality reporting for pancreatic cancer.
Q: What are the latest evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing pancreatic cancer in patients with vague abdominal pain and weight loss?
A: Diagnosing pancreatic cancer in patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms like vague abdominal pain and weight loss can be challenging. Current guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) emphasize a multi-modal approach. Initial evaluation should include a thorough history and physical exam, focusing on risk factors like smoking history, family history of pancreatic cancer, and new-onset diabetes. Laboratory tests should include serum CA 19-9, although its sensitivity and specificity are limited. Imaging plays a crucial role, with high-quality contrast-enhanced CT or MRI/MRCP being the preferred modalities for visualizing the pancreas and surrounding structures. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is often recommended for tissue diagnosis, particularly for lesions suspicious for malignancy. Explore how integrating these guidelines with clinical judgment can improve early detection and patient outcomes. Consider implementing standardized diagnostic pathways within your practice to ensure consistent, high-quality care for suspected pancreatic cancer patients.
Q: How can clinicians differentiate between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer using imaging and serum markers, especially in cases where CA 19-9 is not elevated?
A: Differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer can be difficult, particularly when serum markers like CA 19-9 are within normal limits. While CA 19-9 can be elevated in both conditions, its absence does not rule out malignancy. Imaging features play a vital role in distinguishing these two entities. On CT or MRI, pancreatic cancer typically presents as a focal, hypoenhancing mass, often with associated ductal dilation and invasion of surrounding structures. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, may show pancreatic calcifications, ductal irregularities, and parenchymal atrophy. EUS with FNA offers the highest diagnostic accuracy for obtaining tissue samples and differentiating between inflammatory and neoplastic processes. When imaging and serum markers are inconclusive, consider the patient's clinical presentation, including symptoms, risk factors, and response to initial management. Learn more about advanced imaging techniques and the role of multidisciplinary tumor boards in complex cases.
Patient presents with concerning symptoms suggestive of pancreatic cancer, including painless jaundice, weight loss, abdominal pain radiating to the back, and new-onset diabetes. Physical examination reveals palpable gallbladder (Courvoisier's sign) and possible epigastric mass. The patient's history includes smoking and a family history of pancreatic neoplasm. Differential diagnoses include pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, and other gastrointestinal malignancies. Preliminary laboratory findings demonstrate elevated bilirubin and CA 19-9 tumor marker. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan with contrast are ordered to assess for pancreatic mass, evaluate for biliary obstruction, and determine the extent of the disease. Further investigation with endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may be necessary for definitive diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Depending on the imaging and biopsy results, the patient may be referred to medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology for discussion of treatment options, which could include surgery (Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or palliative care. Patient education regarding pancreatic cancer prognosis, staging, and potential complications will be provided. ICD-10 code C25.9 (malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified) is provisionally assigned, pending confirmatory diagnostic studies. CPT codes for the procedures performed will be documented and billed accordingly.