tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 2

Get a Grip on Neoplasm Terminology

Our primer makes deciphering the path report easier The many categories of neoplasms can be confusing, but a quick review of the relevant terminology can clear up any doubts you may have about your coding choices. Malignant and Benign Define Main Categories When looking at the neoplasm table, you will notice two main categories of neoplasm: malignant and benign, with three subcategories for malignant, as follows:Primary. A primary malignancy is one arising from the cells found where the neoplasm was biopsied, explains Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS, CPC-H, CCS-P, HIM Program Coordinator at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.For example...

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