2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C46.9

Kaposi's sarcoma, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
C46.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Kaposi's sarcoma, unspecified
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue
      (C45-C49)
      • Kaposi's sarcoma
        (C46)

C46.9 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of kaposi's sarcoma, unspecified. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like C46.9 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Endemic Kaposi sarcoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma of viscus
  • Kaposi's sarcoma
  • Kaposi's sarcoma - sporadic
  • Kaposi's sarcoma not associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of multiple organs
  • Kaposi's sarcoma with AIDS
  • Malignant neoplasm with AIDS
  • Malignant neoplastic disease co-occurrent with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Clinical Classification

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of unspecified site

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Convert C46.9 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 176.9 - Kaposi's sarcoma NOS

Patient Education


Kaposi Sarcoma

What is Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma, sometimes called KS, is a type of cancer. It causes lesions (abnormal tissue) to grow in different parts of the body, including:

  • The skin
  • Lymph nodes
  • Mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat)
  • Other organs

These lesions are usually red or purple. They are made of cancer cells, new blood vessels, and blood cells. The lesions may begin in more than one place in the body at the same time. This makes Kaposi sarcoma different from other cancers.

What causes Kaposi sarcoma and who is more likely to develop it?

Kaposi sarcoma is caused by infection with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). This virus is also called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Most people infected with this virus don't get Kaposi sarcoma. But certain people who get this virus are more likely to develop one of the types of Kaposi sarcoma:

  • People with weakened immune systems due to HIV can develop epidemic (HIV-associated) Kaposi sarcoma.
  • People with weakened immune systems due to medicines they need to take after an organ transplant can develop iatrogenic (transplant-related) Kaposi sarcoma.
  • Older men of Mediterranean or Eastern European Jewish heritage can develop classic Kaposi sarcoma.
  • Young men in Africa can develop endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma.

What are the symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma usually starts out as one or more red, purple, or brown skin lesions on the legs and feet. They are most often on the ankles or soles of the feet. Over time, lesions may form in other parts of the body. The lesions may not cause symptoms. But sometimes the lesions can cause problems, especially as you get more of them and they grow bigger. For example:

  • Pressure from the lesions may block the flow of lymph and blood in the legs and cause painful swelling
  • If lesions grow in your stomach or intestines, they can bleed and may cause abdominal (belly) pain and diarrhea
  • Lesions in the lungs can also bleed and may cause shortness of breath

How is Kaposi sarcoma diagnosed?

To find out whether you have Kaposi sarcoma, your health care provider:

  • Will ask about your medical and family history
  • Will do a physical exam
  • May order a chest x-ray to look for Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs
  • May do a biopsy to check for Kaposi sarcoma lesions in the skin
  • May do an endoscopy to check for Kaposi sarcoma in the stomach and intestines
  • May do a bronchoscopy to check for Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs

If you do have Kaposi sarcoma, you will likely need blood and imaging tests to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

What are the treatments for Kaposi sarcoma?

Which treatment(s) you get will depend on

  • The type of Kaposi sarcoma you have
  • How many lesions you have and where in the body they are
  • What kinds of problems the lesions are causing
  • Your overall health

For people who have epidemic (HIV-associated) Kaposi sarcoma, taking HIV medicines may be enough to treat the Kaposi sarcoma. For people who have iatrogenic (transplant-related) Kaposi sarcoma, changing the dose of the medicines or switching medicines may be helpful. But some people with these types of Kaposi sarcoma will need additional treatment.

The treatment options for Kaposi sarcoma may include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery
  • Cryosurgery, a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Soft Tissue Sarcoma-Patient Version

Learn about soft tissue sarcoma risk factors, symptoms, tests to diagnose, factors affecting prognosis, staging, and treatment.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.