Find information on Colon Carcinoma Screening, also known as Colorectal Cancer Screening or Colon Cancer Screening. This resource offers guidance for healthcare professionals on clinical documentation, medical coding, and best practices related to C code diagnoses. Learn about Colon Carcinoma Screening guidelines, including risk factors, screening procedures, and diagnostic criteria, to improve patient care and ensure accurate medical records.
Also known as
Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon
Screening for colon cancer.
Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of rectum and colon
Screening for colorectal cancer.
Personal history of malignant neoplasm of colon
History of colon cancer, used for surveillance after treatment.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is screening for high risk individual?
Yes
Personal history of colorectal cancer?
No
Average risk screening?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Screening for colon cancer. |
| Presence of colon cancer. |
| Colon polyps found during screening. |
Coding lacks specificity. Document if screening is for surveillance vs. diagnostic purposes to support proper CPT code selection (e.g., G0105 vs. G0121).
Insufficient family/personal history documented to justify high-risk screening. Accurate history supports medical necessity for specific screening codes and impacts risk adjustment.
Missing documentation of screening findings (normal, abnormal). Complete documentation is critical for accurate coding, appropriate follow-up, and compliance with quality measures.
Q: What are the most effective colon carcinoma screening strategies for average-risk patients based on current USPSTF guidelines?
A: The USPSTF recommends screening for colorectal cancer in adults aged 45 to 75 years. Several effective colon carcinoma screening strategies exist for average-risk patients, including colonoscopy every 10 years, stool-based tests such as fecal immunochemical test (FIT) annually or multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) every 3 years, and CT colonography every 5 years. The choice of screening test should be individualized based on patient preference, risk factors, and local resources. Explore how shared decision-making can help guide appropriate test selection. For patients aged 76 to 85 years, the decision to screen should be made on an individual basis, considering life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history. Screening is not recommended for adults over 85 years. Consider implementing a robust patient navigation system to improve adherence to recommended screening intervals.
Q: How do I manage a positive FIT result in an asymptomatic patient during colorectal cancer screening?
A: A positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result in an asymptomatic patient during colorectal cancer screening warrants prompt follow-up with colonoscopy. While a positive FIT can indicate the presence of colorectal cancer, it can also be caused by other factors like polyps, hemorrhoids, or certain medications. Colonoscopy is crucial for visualizing the colon, identifying the source of bleeding, and obtaining biopsies for pathological diagnosis. If colonoscopy reveals no abnormalities, consider alternative diagnoses or repeat screening based on risk factors. If polyps are detected, appropriate management, including polypectomy and surveillance colonoscopy, should be initiated. Learn more about post-polypectomy surveillance guidelines to ensure appropriate follow-up care.
Patient presents for colon carcinoma screening. This colorectal cancer screening is indicated due to (age greater than 50, family history of colon cancer or polyps, personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, or other high-risk factors as per established guidelines such as the US Preventive Services Task Force USPSTF recommendations). The patient's current risk factors for colon cancer were reviewed and discussed, including dietary habits, physical activity level, and smoking history. Options for colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical test FIT, stool DNA test Cologuard, CT colonography virtual colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy, were explained to the patient. Benefits and risks of each screening modality were discussed, and the patient elected to proceed with (chosen screening test). Patient education regarding bowel preparation, procedure details, and potential complications was provided. The patient verbalized understanding of the procedure and associated risks. Appropriate consents were obtained. Follow-up instructions and scheduling for the chosen colon cancer screening test were provided. A referral to gastroenterology may be necessary depending on chosen screening modality. ICD-10 code Z12.11 (encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon) is applicable. Relevant CPT codes for the specific procedure performed will be applied at the time of the screening. The importance of adherence to recommended screening intervals was emphasized.