Diagnosis C50.919: Understanding Malignant Neoplasm of Unspecified Female Breast

The ICD-10-CM code C50.919 is a critical diagnosis code used in medical billing and healthcare for identifying Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast. This specific code is essential for accurate medical records, insurance claims, and epidemiological tracking of breast cancer in women. Understanding the nuances of Diagnosis C50.919 is crucial for healthcare professionals involved in oncology and medical coding.

Decoding ICD-10-CM Code C50.919

C50.919 falls under the category of ICD-10-CM codes dedicated to neoplasms, specifically malignant neoplasms of the breast. It is designated as a billable/specific code, meaning it is precise enough to be used for reimbursement purposes in medical billing. The code’s full description is “Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast,” indicating a cancerous tumor in the female breast where the exact location within the breast is not specified.

This code is part of the 2025 ICD-10-CM edition, which became effective on October 1, 2024. It is important to use the most current version of ICD-10-CM codes to ensure accurate coding and avoid claim rejections. The American ICD-10-CM version of C50.919 is presented here; it’s worth noting that international versions of ICD-10 may have variations.

Understanding the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code C50.919 for malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast, used for medical billing and diagnostic accuracy.

Key Characteristics and Applications of C50.919

  • Female-Specific Code: C50.919 is explicitly applicable to female patients. This highlights the gender specificity within ICD-10-CM coding, ensuring accurate categorization of diagnoses.

  • Unspecified Site: The term “unspecified site” within the code description indicates that while the malignancy is confirmed to be in the female breast, the precise location (e.g., upper outer quadrant, nipple, areola) is not documented or known.

  • Billable Code: As a billable code, diagnosis c50.919 is suitable for use in healthcare claims and billing processes, facilitating appropriate reimbursement for medical services related to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

  • Annotation Back-References: In the ICD-10-CM system, C50.919 is associated with annotation back-references. These annotations link C50.919 to other codes that contain supplementary information, such as:

    • Applicable To annotations
    • Code Also annotations
    • Code First annotations
    • Excludes1 and Excludes2 annotations
    • Includes annotations
    • Note annotations
    • Use Additional annotations

    These annotations provide crucial context and guidelines for using C50.919 accurately in conjunction with other related codes when necessary.

Synonyms and Related Terms for Diagnosis C50.919

To further clarify the scope of diagnosis c50.919, several approximate synonyms are associated with this code. These terms represent different ways the same diagnosis might be described clinically:

  • Breast cancer
  • Breast cancer metastatic to lymph node
  • Cancer female breast malig cystosarcoma phyllodes
  • Cancer of the female breast
  • Cancer of the female breast, infiltrating ductal
  • Cancer of the female breast, infiltrating lobular
  • Cancer of the female breast, recurrent
  • Cancer, breast, invasive, female
  • Female breast cancer metastatic to lymph node
  • Female breast cancer metastatic to unspecified site
  • Female breast cancer with metastasis to eye
  • Female inflammatory breast cancer
  • Infiltrating duct carcinoma of breast
  • Infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast, stage 1 – 4
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of female breast
  • Malignant phyllodes tumor of breast
  • Primary invasive malignant neoplasm of female breast
  • Primary malignant inflammatory neoplasm of female breast
  • Recurrent primary malignant neoplasm of breast
  • Secondary malignant neoplasm of eye from female breast
  • Secondary malignant neoplasm of lymph node from neoplasm of breast

This extensive list of synonyms highlights the various clinical presentations and descriptions that can fall under the umbrella of diagnosis c50.919 when the specific location within the female breast is not detailed.

Code History and Context within ICD-10-CM

The code C50.919 has been part of the ICD-10-CM system since the 2016 edition (effective October 1, 2015). Since its introduction, there have been no changes to the code description or application through the 2025 edition. This stability indicates the code’s established and consistent use in medical coding practices.

To understand C50.919 in relation to other codes, examining adjacent codes in the ICD-10-CM manual is helpful. Codes directly adjacent to C50.919 include codes for malignant neoplasms of overlapping sites of the female breast (C50.812, C50.819), male breast (C50.82, C50.821, C50.822, C50.829), and other unspecified breast malignancies with more specific laterality (C50.911, C50.912, C50.92, C50.921, C50.922, C50.929). This context demonstrates how C50.919 fits within the broader classification of breast cancers in the ICD-10-CM system.

Conclusion

Diagnosis C50.919, Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breast, is a fundamental ICD-10-CM code for classifying and billing breast cancer cases in women when the precise tumor location is not specified. Its detailed synonyms, annotation references, and consistent history within the ICD-10-CM system underscore its importance for accurate medical documentation, statistical analysis, and healthcare reimbursement. For professionals in medical coding, oncology, and healthcare administration, a thorough understanding of diagnosis c50.919 is essential for maintaining data integrity and ensuring appropriate patient care management.

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