Squamous cell carcinoma is most commonly seen in fair-skinned people who have spent extended time in the sun. Other risk factors for SCC include: 1 Blue or green eyed people with blond or red hair 2 Long-term daily sun exposure, as with people that work outdoors with no sun protection or covering up 3 Many severe sunburns early in life 4 Older age. The older a person, the longer sun exposure they have had 5 Overexposure or long-term exposure to X-rays 6 Chemical exposures, such as arsenic in drinking water, tar, or working with insecticides or herbicides. 7 Tanning bed use. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 170,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in the US each year are associated with indoor tanning. Use of indoor UV tanning equipment increases a person’s risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent.
by John Verhovshek, MA, CPC. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. It begins in the squamous cells, which comprise most of the skin’s epidermis.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. It begins in the squamous cells, which comprise most of the skin’s epidermis. SCCs often occur on the sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, bald scalp, neck, hands, arms, and legs. Signs and symptoms of SCCs include:
Without further definition, if the term SCC or squamous cell carcinoma is used, it is understood to be a primary site. Site on the skin (e.g., trunk, upper limb, or lower limb) Any personal or family history of skin cancer or current or history of smoking or smoke exposure should also be documented and reported.
John Verhovshek. John Verhovshek, MA, CPC, is a contributing editor at AAPC. He has been covering medical coding and billing, healthcare policy, and the business of medicine since 1999. He is an alumnus of York College of Pennsylvania and Clemson University.
All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm. Morphology [Histology] Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, ...
The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes. Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries.
A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere.
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of upp er limb, including shoulder. C44.62 should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail. Short description: Squamous cell carcinoma skin/ upper limb, including shoulder.
All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm. Morphology [Histology] Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, ...
The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes. Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries.
A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere.
All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm. Morphology [Histology] Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, ...
The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes. Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries.