First, the clinical margin of the lentigo maligna is outlined taking into account the clinical appearance with natural light, Wood’s lamp examination, and the histopathologic diagnosis of previous scouting biopsies.
With R21, nuclear expression of sAC is detected in almost 90% cases of lentigo maligna, but not in nevi. However, 25–30% of melanocytic hyperplasia in benign lentigines can show nuclear staining of sAC, which then needs to be distinguished from lentigo maligna with the hematoxylin and eosin stain [49].
Diagnosis The diagnosis of lentigo maligna is challenging, as the clinical presentation can be subtle and varied. Early detection of lentigo maligna relies on a high clinical suspicion index.
Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains are often used to aid in the diagnosis of lentigo maligna. Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells (MART-1 also known as Melan A) and microophthalmia transcription factor (MiTF) are the two stains regularly used at our institution. MiTF is expressed in the nucleus of melanocytes.
ICD-10-CM Code for Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified C43. 9.
C43.39Malignant melanoma of other parts of face C43. 39 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM C43. 39 became effective on October 1, 2021.
ICD-9 code 173.31 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin of other and unspecified parts of face is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range -MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF BONE, CONNECTIVE TISSUE, SKIN, AND BREAST (170-176).
ICD-10-CM Code for Malignant melanoma of scalp and neck C43. 4.
Lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) are types of skin cancer. They begin when the melanocytes in the skin grow out of control and form tumors. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for making melanin, the pigment that determines the color of the skin.
D03. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
ICD-10 code C44. 91 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Malignant neoplasms .
C44. 91 - Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified | ICD-10-CM.
This type of excision would be most appropriately reported using the excision of malignant lesion including margins codes 11600- 11646.
VICC confirms that the correct code to assign for metastic melanoma at C4-C5 is C79. 5 Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone and bone marrow and that coding rules are not overridden to arrive at this code.
The excision of a malignant skin lesion including margins (procedure codes 11600-11646) will be considered medically necessary when a pathology report verifies the existence of a malignancy.
Lentigo maligna is a melanocytic neoplasm occurring on sun-exposed skin, usually on the head and neck, of middle-aged and elderly patients. It is thought to represent the in situ phase of lentigo maligna melanoma. The ill-defined nature and potentially large size of lesions can pose significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. The goal of therapy is to cure the lesions in order to prevent development of invasive disease, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice to achieve clear histological margins. Nonsurgical treatment modalities have been reported; however, evidence is lacking to support their use. Age, general health, and comorbidities need to be taken into account when deciding the right treatment modality for each individual patient.
Radiation therapy . Radiotherapy, like imiquimod, is a noninvasive treatment option that has been used as a primary treatment for lentigo maligna in patients who are poor surgical candidates. Studies have used Grenz ray therapy for treatment of lentigo maligna [102–104].
Excisional biopsy is ideal for diagnosis of lentigo maligna [ 40 ]. In theory, excisional biopsy removes the whole clinical lesion down to subcutaneous fat with a 1–3 mm margin. This potentially allows for complete evaluation of depth and peripheral involvement. Excisional biopsy , however, is often not feasible for lentigo maligna because the lesions are typically ill-defined, widespread, and located in cosmetically sensitive areas. If the size of the lesion limits the ability to perform an excisional biopsy, scouting shave or punch biopsies can be performed ( Figure 1B ). Scouting biopsies should include samples from the darkest part, or most concerning part of the lesion, which will minimize the sampling error. They can also be taken from the periphery of the lesion to help delineate the peripheral margin involvement ( Figure 1B ).
Since the true margins of lentigo maligna can exist far beyond the margins seen with visible light, the Wood’s light is used to improve margin delineation.
Clinical presentation, risk factors, and genetics. Lentigo maligna most commonly presents on the head and neck region of elderly patients, with the highest incidence in the seventh and eighth decades of life.
Excisional biopsy, however, is often not feasible for lentigo maligna because the lesions are typically ill-defined, widespread, and located in cosmetically sensitive areas. If the size of the lesion limits the ability to perform an excisional biopsy, scouting shave or punch biopsies can be performed (Figure 1B).
Lentigo maligna can develop de novoor within a pre-existing solar lentigo. Patients typically present with a chief complaint of a new, asymptomatic pigmented macule or patch on the head or neck region, or a freckle that has changed in size, shape, or color. Open in a separate window. Figure 1A.
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.
Secondary malignant melanoma of skin. Superficial spreading malignant melanoma of skin. Clinical Information. A primary melanoma arising from atypical melanocytes in the skin.