The Neoplasm Table of the ICD-9-CM diagnostic coding  

The Neoplasm Table of the ICD-9-CM diagnostic coding book has a mystique about for those who attempt to use it. The assumption is made, often correctly, that those working in certain disciplines, say for an oncology practice, must be proficient at locating diagnosis codes. For the infrequent or new user, it can be an intimidating section of the coding book to turn to. I call it the "Six Columns of Confusion."

Just at the start, I want to say that I "never" think of using a code that has involved the Neoplasm Table without a pathology report, with one exception. Why? Because the decision of what the CELL types are and their behavior is best discerned by a pathologist, not by the physician doing the surgery. The pathologists' job is to identify the cells, diagnosis any disease and document the extent of it, according to Jim Richards, D.O., a Cleveland Clinic trained and Board Cer...