2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C79.81

Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast

ICD-10-CM Code:
C79.81
ICD-10 Code for:
Secondary malignant neoplasm of breast
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites
      (C76-C80)
      • Secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified sites
        (C79)

C79.81 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of secondary malignant neoplasm of breast. 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 areola ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) areola ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) axillary tail ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) central portion ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) inner ; Neoplasm, neoplastic breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts) lower ; etc

Approximate Synonyms

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

  • Bilateral metastatic malignant neoplasm to breasts
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of breast
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of breast
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of breast
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of left female breast
  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma of right female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of central part of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic site of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic site of male breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of lower-inner quadrant of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of upper-inner quadrant of female breast
  • Malignant neoplasm of upper-outer quadrant of female breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to axillary tail of breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to bone, connective tissue, skin and breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to lower inner quadrant of breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to lower outer quadrant of breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to male breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to upper inner quadrant of breast
  • Metastatic carcinoma to upper outer quadrant of breast
  • Metastatic lobular carcinoma to breast
  • Metastatic lobular carcinoma to breast
  • Metastatic lobular carcinoma to breast
  • Metastatic lobular carcinoma to left female breast
  • Metastatic lobular carcinoma to right female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to areola of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to areola of male breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to axillary tail of breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to axillary tail of breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to axillary tail of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to central portion of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to ectopic female breast tissue
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to ectopic male breast tissue
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to left breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to left breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to lower inner quadrant of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to lower outer quadrant of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to male breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to male breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to nipple of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to nipple of male breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to right breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to right breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to upper inner quadrant of female breast
  • Metastatic malignant neoplasm to upper outer quadrant of female breast
  • Neoplasm of areola of female breast
  • Neoplasm of areola of male breast
  • Neoplasm of ectopic female breast tissue
  • Neoplasm of ectopic male breast tissue
  • Neoplasm of nipple of female breast
  • Neoplasm of nipple of male breast

Clinical Classification

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 C79.81 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 198.81 - Second malig neo breast

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
  »areola
C50.0C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
C50.9C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »areola
C50.0C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »axillary tail
C50.6C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »central portion
C50.1C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »inner
C50.8C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »lower
C50.8C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »lower-inner quadrant
C50.3C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »lower-outer quadrant
C50.5C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »mastectomy site (skin) [See Also: Neoplasm, breast, skin]
      »specified as breast tissue
C50.8C79.81    
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »midline
C50.8C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »nipple
C50.0C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »outer
C50.8C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »tail (axillary)
C50.6C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »upper
C50.8C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »upper-inner quadrant
C50.2C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »breast (connective tissue) (glandular tissue) (soft parts)
    »upper-outer quadrant
C50.4C79.81D05.D24.D48.6D49.3
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »mastectomy site (skin) [See Also: Neoplasm, breast, skin]
    »specified as breast tissue
C50.8C79.81    
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »nipple
C50.0C79.81D05.D24.  
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »mastectomy site (skin) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, breast]
      »specified as breast tissue
C50.8C79.81    

Patient Education


Breast Cancer

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in breast tissue. It happens when cells in the breast change and grow out of control. The cells usually form a tumor.

Sometimes the cancer does not spread any further. This is called "in situ." If the cancer spreads outside the breast, the cancer is called "invasive." It may just spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Or the cancer may metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) through the lymph system or the blood.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. Rarely, it can also affect men.

What are the types of breast cancer?

There are different types of breast cancer. The types are based on which breast cells turn into cancer. The types include:

  • Ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. This is the most common type.
  • Lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules. It is more often found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer.
  • Inflammatory breast cancer, in which cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. The breast becomes warm, red, and swollen. This is a rare type.
  • Paget's disease of the breast, which is a cancer involving the skin of the nipple. It usually also affects the darker skin around the nipple. It is also rare.

What causes breast cancer?

Breast cancer happens when there are changes in the genetic material (DNA). Often, the exact cause of these genetic changes is unknown.

But sometimes these genetic changes are inherited, meaning that you are born with them. Breast cancer that is caused by inherited genetic changes is called hereditary breast cancer.

There are also certain genetic changes that can raise your risk of breast cancer, including changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These two changes also raise your risk of ovarian and other cancers.

Besides genetics, your lifestyle and the environment can affect your risk of breast cancer.

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

The factors that raise your risk of breast cancer include:

  • Older age
  • History of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
  • Inherited risk of breast cancer, including having BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes
  • Dense breast tissue
  • A reproductive history that leads to more exposure to the estrogen hormone, including
    • Menstruating at an early age
    • Being at an older age when you first gave birth or never having given birth
    • Starting menopause at a later age
  • Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
  • Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
  • Obesity
  • Drinking alcohol

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

The signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:

  • A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit.
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast.
  • A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast. It may look like the skin of an orange.
  • A nipple turned inward into the breast.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk. The discharge might happen suddenly, be bloody, or happen in only one breast.
  • Scaly, red, or swollen skin in the nipple area or the breast
  • Pain in any area of the breast.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Your health care provider may use many tools to diagnose breast cancer and figure out which type you have:

  • A physical exam, including a clinical breast exam (CBE). This involves checking for any lumps or anything else that seems unusual with the breasts and armpits.
  • A medical history.
  • Imaging tests, such as a mammogram, an ultrasound, or an MRI.
  • Breast biopsy.
  • Blood chemistry tests, which measure different substances in the blood, including electrolytes, fats, proteins, glucose (sugar), and enzymes. Some of the specific blood chemistry tests include a basic metabolic panel (BMP), a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and an electrolyte panel.

If these tests show that you have breast cancer, you will have tests that study the cancer cells. These tests help your provider decide which treatment would be best for you. The tests may include:

  • Genetic tests for genetic changes such as in the BRCA and TP53 genes.
  • HER2 test. HER2 is a protein involved with cell growth. It is on the outside of all breast cells. If your breast cancer cells have more HER2 than normal, they can grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
  • An estrogen and progesterone receptor test. This test measures the amount of estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If there are more receptors than normal, the cancer is called estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive. This type of breast cancer may grow more quickly.

Another step is staging the cancer. Staging involves doing tests to find out whether the cancer has spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. The tests may include other diagnostic imaging tests and a sentinel lymph node biopsy. This biopsy is done to see whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

What are the treatments for breast cancer?

Treatments for breast cancer include:

  • Surgery such as
    • A mastectomy, which removes the whole breast
    • A lumpectomy to remove the cancer and some normal tissue around it, but not the breast itself
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy, which blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow
  • Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells
  • Immunotherapy

Can breast cancer be prevented?

You may be able to help prevent breast cancer by making healthy lifestyle changes such as:

  • Staying at a healthy weight
  • Limiting alcohol use
  • Getting enough exercisee
  • Limiting your exposure to estrogen by
    • Breastfeeding your babies if you can
    • Limiting hormone therapy

If you are at high risk, your health care provider may suggest that you take certain medicines to lower the risk. Some women at very high risk may decide to get a mastectomy (of their healthy breasts) to prevent breast cancer.

It's also important to get regular mammograms. They may be able to identify breast cancer in the early stages, when it is easier to treat.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Breast Cancer-Patient Version

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

Breast Cancer Summary

Learn about breast cancer 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.