Facebook tracking pixel
C22.9
ICD-10-CM
Liver Cancer

Find comprehensive information on liver cancer diagnosis including ICD-10 codes C22.0, C22.1, C22.2, C22.3, C22.4, C22.7, C22.8, and C22.9. Learn about clinical documentation requirements, hepatocellular carcinoma HCC coding, liver cancer staging, diagnostic imaging, and pathology reports for accurate medical coding and billing. Explore symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis for liver cancer patients. This resource provides essential guidance for healthcare professionals involved in liver cancer diagnosis, documentation, and coding.

Also known as

Hepatic Cancer
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver Cell Carcinoma
+2 more

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Malignant tumor originating in the liver cells.
  • Clinical Signs : Abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, fatigue, swelling.
  • Common Settings : Hospital, outpatient clinic, specialist center.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC C22.9 Coding
C22.0-C22.9

Malignant neoplasm of liver

Covers cancers specifically originating in the liver.

C78.7

Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver

Liver cancer that has spread from a primary site elsewhere.

C44.5-C44.7

Malignant neoplasm of skin of abdomen

Includes some rare skin cancers that may involve the liver area.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the liver cancer primary?

  • Yes

    Is it hepatocellular carcinoma?

  • No

    Is the site of origin known?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Liver cancer
Hepatitis C
Cirrhosis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Liver cancer diagnosis documentation checklist
  • ICD-10-CM C22 documented, primary/secondary specified
  • Confirmed by biopsy/imaging, type/grade/stage noted
  • AFP levels, symptoms, and relevant lab results
  • Treatment plan: surgery, chemo, radiation, etc.

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Liver Cancer

    Coding C22.9 Liver cancer, unspecified, without proper documentation specifying the type can lead to claim denials and inaccurate reporting.

  • Metastatic vs. Primary

    Incorrectly coding metastatic liver cancer (C78.7) as primary liver cancer (C22.x) leads to inaccurate data and affects reimbursement.

  • Staging Documentation

    Lack of clear documentation of liver cancer stage (using TNM or other staging systems) impacts accurate coding, affecting quality reporting and treatment planning.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • HCC coding: ICD-10-CM C22.0-C22.9, document tumor specifics.
  • CDI: Precise liver cancer staging (TNM) impacts DRG assignment.
  • Compliance: Ensure complete pathology reports for accurate codes.
  • HCC diagnosis: Image guidance crucial, note size/location.
  • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels aid diagnosis, document results.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Review imaging (US, CT/MRI) for liver lesions
  • Check AFP levels, LFTs (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin)
  • Assess patient risk factors (cirrhosis, HBV/HCV)
  • Evaluate for symptoms (abdominal pain, weight loss)
  • Document diagnosis using ICD-10-CM codes (C22.0-C22.9)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Liver Cancer reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM coding (C22.-) and appropriate HCC reporting for risk adjustment.
  • Coding quality directly impacts MS-DRG assignment and subsequent hospital payment for liver cancer treatments.
  • Timely and complete documentation is crucial for optimal reimbursement and minimizing claim denials.
  • Accurate coding and staging data enhance liver cancer quality metrics reporting, improving patient outcomes tracking.

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.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code C22.0 for liver cell carcinoma
  • Specify morphology, laterality
  • Document imaging findings, AFP levels
  • Use Z85.0 for personal history
  • Code metastases with C78.7

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with potential hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primary liver cancer.  Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain localized to the right upper quadrant, unintended weight loss, and decreased appetite.  Physical examination reveals hepatomegaly and palpable liver mass.  Pertinent laboratory findings demonstrate elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) including increased AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), and elevated bilirubin.  Imaging studies, including abdominal ultrasound, CT scan of the abdomen with contrast, and MRI of the liver, were ordered to assess the extent of the liver lesion and rule out other differential diagnoses such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and metastatic liver disease.  Preliminary imaging findings suggest a solitary liver mass with characteristics suspicious for HCC.  Liver biopsy is scheduled to confirm the diagnosis and determine the histologic grade of the tumor.  The patient's medical history includes chronic hepatitis B infection, a significant risk factor for liver cancer.  Based on the clinical presentation, laboratory results, and imaging findings, the preliminary diagnosis is liver cancer (HCC).  Further evaluation, including biopsy results, will guide treatment planning, which may involve surgical resection, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or palliative care depending on the stage and extent of the disease.  Patient education regarding liver cancer prognosis, treatment options, and potential complications was provided.  Follow-up appointments were scheduled to discuss biopsy results and finalize the treatment plan.  ICD-10 code C22.0 (malignant neoplasm of liver, unspecified) is provisionally assigned, pending histopathological confirmation.  CPT codes for the diagnostic procedures performed will be documented accordingly for medical billing and coding purposes.
Liver Cancer - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation