From the Research
The ICD-10 code for a history of thyroid cancer is Z85.850. This code should be used when documenting a patient who has previously been diagnosed with thyroid cancer but is currently in remission or has completed treatment. It falls under the Z85 category, which encompasses personal history of malignant neoplasms. When using this code, it's essential to note that it indicates only the history of the condition, not active disease. If the patient currently has thyroid cancer, you would instead use a code from the C73 category (Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland). The history code is crucial for ongoing care planning, as patients with a history of thyroid cancer typically require long-term monitoring with periodic thyroid function tests, imaging studies, and possibly thyroglobulin levels to detect any recurrence, as discussed in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer 1. This code helps justify these follow-up procedures and alerts healthcare providers to the patient's significant medical history.
Some key points to consider when using this code include:
- The code is used for patients who have completed treatment and are in remission
- It is not used for active disease, which would require a code from the C73 category
- Long-term monitoring is essential for patients with a history of thyroid cancer, and this code helps justify these procedures
- The code alerts healthcare providers to the patient's significant medical history, which is essential for providing appropriate care, and is supported by studies on the actions of thyroid hormones on thyroid cancers 2.
In terms of the management of thyroid cancer, it's essential to consider the latest evidence and guidelines, such as those discussed in the review of post-operative thyroid hormone replacement and thyrotropin suppression therapy 1. However, the ICD-10 code for a history of thyroid cancer remains Z85.850, and it's crucial to use this code accurately to ensure proper documentation and care planning.