ICD 10 CM C34.0 | Description & Clinical Information
ICD 10 C34.0 describes a type of cancerous growth that originates in the main bronchus, which is the large airway that connects the trachea to the lungs, and can potentially spread to surrounding tissues, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels, and is commonly associated with chronic smoking, exposure to air pollution and certain chemicals in the workplace, or a genetic predisposition.
Official Description Of C34.0
The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code C34.0 as:
Malignant neoplasm of hilus (of lung)
Excludes1: Kaposi’s sarcoma of lung (C46.5-)
malignant carcinoid tumor of the bronchus and lung (C7A.090)
Use additional code to identify:
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
tobacco dependence (F17.-)
tobacco use (Z72.0)
When To Use C34.0
The diagnosis describes by the ICD 10 CM C34.0 code corresponds to malignant neoplasm of the main bronchus. This type of cancer originates in the bronchi, the air passageways that extend from the end of the trachea and reach the lungs.
Patients with malignant neoplasm of the main bronchus may experience a range of symptoms, including a persistent cough that may be dry or have blood in it, wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, and recurring respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
To diagnose the disease, medical providers perform a thorough examination that includes taking into account the patient’s medical history, performing a physical evaluation, and ordering a series of laboratory and imaging tests. Some of the laboratory tests commonly used to make a diagnosis include a complete blood count, blood chemistry tests, sputum examinations, respiratory function tests, and biopsy of the tumor mass.
Medical imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans of the chest, bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy, and PET scans can also provide critical information that helps confirm a diagnosis.
The available treatment options depend on the stage and location of the neoplasm. Surgical management, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is often the primary treatment for resectable neoplasms. Radiofrequency ablation and immunotherapy are also alternative techniques that may be considered depending on the specific characteristics of the tumor. However, for advanced neoplasms, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be used to improve the patient’s quality of life.
It is important to note that each case of malignant neoplasm of the main bronchus is unique, and that the treatment plan should be highly individualized. Deciding what treatment works best relies heavily on the medical provider’s experience, the patient’s medical history, test results, and the patient’s preferences. Differences in tumor location, size, and other medical conditions affecting the patient are essential considerations.
Diagnosing and treating malignant neoplasm of the main bronchus requires a highly collaborative approach that involves medical specialists from different fields. Careful monitoring and ongoing communication among the medical team and the patient must be present to ensure that the patient receives the best possible care, improves their quality of life for as long as possible, and achieves the best possible health outcome.
