2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C38.2

Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum

ICD-10-CM Code:
C38.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs
      (C30-C39)
      • Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
        (C38)

C38.2 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms reference this diagnosis code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic mediastinum, mediastinal posterior .

Approximate Synonyms

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

  • Malignant germ cell neoplasm of mediastinum
  • Malignant germ cell neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
  • Sarcoma of posterior mediastinum

Clinical Classification

Convert C38.2 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 164.3 - Mal neo post mediastinum

Table of Neoplasms

This code is referenced in the table of neoplasms by anatomical site. For each site there are six possible code numbers according to whether the neoplasm in question is malignant, benign, in situ, of uncertain behavior, or of unspecified nature. The description of the neoplasm will often indicate which of the six columns is appropriate.

Where such descriptors are not present, the remainder of the Index should be consulted where guidance is given to the appropriate column for each morphological (histological) variety listed. However, the guidance in the Index can be overridden if one of the descriptors mentioned above is present.

Neoplasm, neoplastic Malignant
Primary
Malignant
Secondary
CaInSitu Benign Uncertain
Behavior
Unspecified
Behavior
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »mediastinum, mediastinal
    »posterior
C38.2C78.1 D15.2D38.3D49.89

Patient Education


Cancer

Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for where they start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Most treatment plans may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Some may involve hormone therapy, immunotherapy or other types of biologic therapy, or stem cell transplantation.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Heart Diseases

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a general term that includes many types of heart problems. It's also called cardiovascular disease, which means heart and blood vessel disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there are ways to prevent and manage many types of heart disease.

What are the types of heart disease?

There are many different types of heart disease. Some you may be born with, called congenital heart disease. Other types develop during your lifetime.

Coronary artery disease (also called coronary heart disease) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens slowly over time when a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood. The plaque narrows or blocks blood flow to the heart muscle and can lead to other heart problems:

  • Angina - chest pain from lack of blood flow
  • Heart attacks - when part of the heart muscle dies from loss of blood flow
  • Heart failure - when your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs
  • Arrhythmia - a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat

Other types of heart diseases may affect your heart valves or heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).

What causes heart diseases?

The causes of heart disease depend on the type of disease. Some possible causes include lifestyle, genetics, infections, medicines, and other diseases.

Who is more likely to develop heart diseases?

There are many different factors that can make you more likely to develop heart disease. Some of these factors you can change, but others you cannot.

  • Age. Your risk of heart disease goes up as you get older.
  • Sex. Some factors may affect heart disease risk differently in women than in men.
  • Family history and genetics. A family history of early heart disease raises your risk of heart disease. And research has shown that some genes are linked to a higher risk of certain heart diseases.
  • Race/ethnicity. Certain groups have higher risks than others.
  • Lifestyle habits. Over time, unhealthy lifestyle habits can raise your risk heart disease:
    • Eating a diet high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and salt.
    • Not getting enough physical activity.
    • Drinking too much alcohol.
    • Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
    • Too much stress.
  • Having other medical conditions can raise your risk of heart diseases. These conditions include:
    • High blood pressure.
    • High cholesterol levels.
    • Diabetes.
    • Obesity.
    • Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
    • Chronic kidney disease.
    • Metabolic syndrome.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Your symptoms will depend on the type of heart disease you have. You may not have symptoms at first. In some cases, you may not know you have heart disease until you have a complication such as a heart attack.

How are heart diseases diagnosed?

To find out if you have heart disease, your health care provider will:

  • Ask about your medical history, including your symptoms
  • Ask about your family health history, including relatives who have had heart disease
  • Do a physical exam
  • Likely run heart tests and blood tests

In some cases, your provider may refer you to a cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in heart diseases) for tests, diagnosis, and care.

What are the treatments for heart disease?

Treatment plans for heart disease depend on the type of heart disease you have, how serious your symptoms are, and what other health conditions you have. Possible treatments may include:

  • Heart-healthy lifestyle changes
  • Medicines
  • Procedures or surgeries
  • Cardiac rehabilitation

Can heart diseases be prevented?

You may be able to lower your risk of certain heart diseases by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes and managing any other medical conditions you have.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute


[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.