Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare type of tumor composed of cells that produce and secrete regulatory hormones. Tumors comprised of these cells are consequently capable of producing hormonal syndromes (e.g., carcinoid syndrome), in which the normal hormonal balance required to support body system functions is adversely affected.
Begin your search for the right code for a patient’s Neuroendocrine and Carcinoid tumor in the alphabetic index, not the Neoplasm Table..
- Neuroendocrine tumor
| Neuroendocrine Tumor | Appropriate ICD code | ICD10 description |
| When the documentation states only neuroendocrine tumor and does not provide enough information (type) to assign a more specific code. | D3A.8 | Neuroendocrine tumor NOS |
| Malignant poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors | C7A.1 | Malignant poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors |
| When documentation states Malignant neuroendocrine tumor/ Primary malignant neuroendocrine tumor | C7A.8 | Other malignant neuroendocrine tumors |
| Secondary neuroendocrine carcinoma | C7B.8 | Other secondary neuroendocrine tumors |
| Secondary Merkel cell carcinoma | C7B.1 |
If a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) spreads, it can spread to the below sites and metastasis code should be from C7B series. Carcinoid malignancies aren’t going to metastasize as another type of carcinoma.
- tissues or structures near the organ where the cancer started, such as the peritoneum, the pleura or fat tissue
- lymph nodes around where the cancer started (regional lymph nodes)
- liver
- lungs
- pancreas
- bone
- Carcinoid tumors are one subset of tumors called neuroendocrine tumors, usually begin in the digestive tract (stomach, appendix, small intestine, colon, rectum) or in the lungs.
| Carcinoid Tumor Scenario | Appropriate ICD | ICD code Description |
| When the documentation states only carcinoid tumor and does not provide enough information (site) to assign a more specific code. | D3A.00 | Carcinoid tumor NOS – unspecified site |
| Malignant carcinoid tumor | C7A.00 | Malignant Carcinoid tumor NOS – unspecified site. We have codes between (C7A.010 to C7A.098) |
| Secondary carcinoid tumor | C7B.00 | Secondary Carcinoid tumor NOS – unspecified site. We have codes between (C7B.01 to C7B.09) |
Please review and let me know if there is anything that is not appropriate.