ICD-10 Guide

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

ICD-10 Coding for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer(C18.9, C78.7)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYOncology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?

Essential facts and insights about Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Key Clinical Considerations:

Weight loss and fatigue
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
Key diagnostic tests: Colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI, biopsy
Physical exam findings: Palpable masses, ascites, hepatomegaly

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Required documentation elements: Patient history, physical exam findings, imaging results, biopsy results
Specific coding terminology: Metastatic, colorectal, stage IV
Documentation examples: 'Patient diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer with liver involvement.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Usage guidelines: Use specific codes for metastatic sites.
Common errors: Failing to document all metastatic sites.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excluded conditions: Non-malignant colorectal conditions.
Alternative codes: Codes for localized colorectal cancer.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Oncology

Specialty Applications

Patient populations: Adults with colorectal cancer.
Clinical settings: Oncology clinics, hospitals, outpatient facilities.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Comprehensive patient history, imaging, and pathology reports are essential.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the metastatic nature for appropriate reimbursement.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?