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C34.90
ICD-10-CM
Lung Adenocarcinoma

Find comprehensive information on Lung Adenocarcinoma, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 C34.x), staging (TNM), and histology. Learn about diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis for this non-small cell lung cancer. Resources for healthcare professionals, including best practices for pathology reports and accurate coding for optimal reimbursement, are available. Explore lung cancer symptoms, risk factors, and molecular testing for personalized medicine approaches to Lung Adenocarcinoma management.

Also known as

Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : A type of non-small cell lung cancer originating in glandular cells.
  • Clinical Signs : Persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis, fatigue, weight loss.
  • Common Settings : Oncology clinics, hospitals, thoracic surgery departments, radiation therapy centers.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC C34.90 Coding
C34.0-C34.9

Malignant neoplasm of bronchus/lung

Covers primary malignant lung cancers, including adenocarcinoma.

C78.0-C78.9

Secondary malignant neoplasm of lung

Indicates lung cancer that has spread from another primary site.

Z85.0-Z85.8

Personal history of malignant neoplasm

Documents a past diagnosis of cancer, potentially relevant for lung adenocarcinoma follow-up.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the lung adenocarcinoma primary?

  • Yes

    Is it in situ?

  • No

    Is the primary site known?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Lung adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell lung carcinoma
Large cell lung carcinoma

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis documentation
  • ICD-10 C34.90 coding confirmation
  • Adenocarcinoma histologic subtype specified
  • Primary lung site, laterality documented
  • TNM staging, if applicable (e.g., T2N1M0)
  • Imaging reports (CT, PET) mentioned

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Histology Confirmation

    Lack of proper histology documentation confirming adenocarcinoma diagnosis leads to coding errors and potential claim denials. Medical coding, CDI, healthcare compliance.

  • Staging Accuracy

    Inaccurate or missing TNM staging impacts reimbursement and treatment planning. Medical coding, lung cancer staging, CDI, healthcare compliance.

  • Laterality Documentation

    Missing or unclear documentation of laterality (right/left lung) causes coding ambiguities. Medical coding, lung adenocarcinoma, CDI, healthcare compliance.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate ICD-10-CM coding (C34.-) for Lung Adenocarcinoma is crucial for reimbursement.
  • Thorough clinical documentation improves CDI for proper staging (TNM) and treatment.
  • Timely pathology reports with biomarkers (EGFR, ALK) guide personalized therapy and impact HCC coding.
  • Regular physician queries for clarification enhance documentation specificity and compliance.
  • Adhere to NCCN guidelines for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of Lung Adenocarcinoma for optimal care.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify ICD-10 C34 documented, imaging confirms lung location
  • Confirm histological subtype adenocarcinoma via pathology report
  • Stage using TNM system, document size, nodes, metastasis
  • Check molecular testing for EGFR, ALK, ROS1 for targeted therapy

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Lung Adenocarcinoma reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM (C34.-) and stage-specific coding, impacting DRG assignment and payment.
  • Coding quality directly affects Case Mix Index (CMI), hospital rankings, and value-based care reimbursement for Lung Adenocarcinoma.
  • Precise documentation of treatment modalities (surgery, chemo, radiation) is crucial for appropriate APC assignment and optimal reimbursement.
  • Timely and accurate claims submission minimizes denials and optimizes revenue cycle management for Lung Adenocarcinoma cases.

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 C34.90 for unspecified lung adenocarcinoma
  • Document laterality (right/left lung)
  • Specify histology, if known (e.g., acinar)
  • Check for metastases, code accordingly
  • Stage using TNM, document clearly

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints consistent with possible lung adenocarcinoma.  Symptoms include persistent cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss.  Patient history includes a significant smoking history of 40 pack-years.  Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion in the right upper lobe.  Imaging studies, including a chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest, demonstrate a suspicious pulmonary nodule with characteristics suggestive of malignancy.  A subsequent bronchoscopy with biopsy was performed, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.  The tumor is staged as T2N1M0, indicating a moderately advanced, locally invasive tumor with regional lymph node involvement and no distant metastasis.  Molecular testing for EGFR mutations, ALK rearrangements, and PD-L1 expression is pending.  Treatment plan includes a multidisciplinary approach involving medical oncology, radiation oncology, and thoracic surgery.  Options for treatment will be discussed with the patient, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination thereof, depending on the results of molecular testing and overall patient performance status.  Referral to a pulmonologist, oncologist, and thoracic surgeon has been made.  Patient education regarding lung cancer treatment, prognosis, and palliative care options has been provided.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in one week to discuss treatment plan and address any patient concerns.  ICD-10 code C34.91 (malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of right lung) and relevant CPT codes for procedures performed are documented for medical billing and coding purposes.  Differential diagnosis included pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other lung malignancies.  This documentation reflects current best practices in lung cancer diagnosis and management.
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