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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesC49.6

C49.6

Billable

Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of trunk, unspecified

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 C49.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of trunk, unspecified.

Key Diagnostic Point:

C49.6 refers to malignant neoplasms of connective and soft tissues located in the trunk, which includes the chest, abdomen, and back. These tumors are classified as soft tissue sarcomas, which arise from mesenchymal tissues such as fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, and blood vessels. The unspecified nature of this code indicates that the specific type of sarcoma has not been determined or documented. Soft tissue sarcomas are relatively rare and can vary significantly in their biological behavior, ranging from low-grade tumors that grow slowly to high-grade tumors that are aggressive and metastasize quickly. Grading of these tumors is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment options. Multidisciplinary management often involves surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the tumor's size, location, and grade. Accurate coding is essential for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement, necessitating thorough documentation of the tumor's characteristics and the treatment approach taken.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in tumor types and grades
  • Need for precise documentation of tumor characteristics
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with benign conditions
  • Multidisciplinary treatment approaches

Audit Risk Factors

  • Insufficient documentation of tumor characteristics
  • Inconsistent grading information
  • Lack of clarity on treatment modalities used
  • Failure to document multidisciplinary management

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Oncology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed pathology reports, imaging studies, and treatment plans must be documented.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Diagnosis and treatment planning for soft tissue sarcomas, follow-up care, and management of treatment side effects.

Billing Considerations

Ensure accurate staging and grading of tumors to guide treatment decisions.

Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the extent of resection and any complications.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical excision of soft tissue sarcomas, reconstruction post-surgery.

Billing Considerations

Document the surgical margins and any adjuvant therapies planned.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use C49.6 When
  • Follow ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding neoplasms, ensuring to document the site, behavior, and grade of the tumor
  • Use additional codes to specify any related conditions or complications

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use C49.6 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

19301CPT Code

Mastectomy, partial

Clinical Scenario

Used in cases where soft tissue sarcoma involves breast tissue.

Documentation Requirements

Operative report detailing the extent of resection.

Specialty Considerations

Oncology specialists should document tumor characteristics and margins.

38500CPT Code

Biopsy of lymph nodes

Clinical Scenario

When lymph nodes are evaluated for metastasis from a soft tissue sarcoma.

Documentation Requirements

Pathology report and imaging studies.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure clear documentation of the biopsy site and findings.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of soft tissue sarcomas, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. C49.6 provides a means to capture cases where the specific type of sarcoma is not documented, but it is essential to strive for more specific coding when possible.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of soft tissue sarcomas, improving the accuracy of data collection and reimbursement processes. C49.6 provides a means to capture cases where the specific type of sarcoma is not documented, but it is essential to strive for more specific coding when possible.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes. C49.6 provides a means to capture cases where the specific type of sarcoma is not documented, but it is essential to strive for more specific coding when possible.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American Cancer Society - Soft Tissue Sarcoma
  • •
    National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American Cancer Society - Soft Tissue Sarcoma
  • •
    National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the unspecified designation in C49.6?

The unspecified designation indicates that the specific type of soft tissue sarcoma has not been documented. This can impact treatment decisions and coding accuracy, so it is important to clarify the diagnosis whenever possible.

How does grading affect the management of soft tissue sarcomas?

Grading of soft tissue sarcomas is crucial as it helps determine the aggressiveness of the tumor and guides treatment decisions. High-grade tumors may require more aggressive treatment compared to low-grade tumors.