2025 ICD-10-CM code C46.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue - Kaposi's sarcoma of skin 2 Neoplasms Feed
Kaposi's sarcoma of skin.This code should be used in conjunction with a code for any associated HIV disease (B20).
Medical necessity for treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma is established by the confirmed diagnosis through biopsy or other appropriate diagnostic methods, along with the clinical presentation, such as pain, discomfort, functional impairment, or risk of complications due to the lesions or their location. The specific treatment approach (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) should be justified based on the patient's overall health status, the stage and extent of the sarcoma, and the potential benefits and risks of the chosen therapy.
Clinicians should look for non-itchy, painless lesions that can be flat or nodular, ranging in color from red or pink to bluish, purple, or brown.These typically appear first on the face and extremities. The lesions can grow and spread to lymph nodes, potentially causing swelling due to obstructed lymphatic flow. Further spread to other body sites and organs is also possible. Diagnosis involves a combination of patient history, symptoms, physical exam, and potentially biopsies, imaging (chest X-ray), and endoscopic procedures (bronchoscopy, endoscopy, colonoscopy) to determine the extent of the disease.Treatment depends on the specific presentation and severity and may include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation, cryotherapy, and immunotherapy.For AIDS patients, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is often prescribed.
In simple words: Kaposi's sarcoma of the skin involves the growth of cancerous lesions under the skin. These lesions can spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body.It's more common in people with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV.
Kaposi's sarcoma is a multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation. It's characterized by bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually starting on the lower extremities, often on the toes or feet. These lesions slowly increase in size and number, spreading to proximal areas.The tumors themselves are made up of endothelium-lined channels and vascular spaces mixed with spindle-shaped cells. While often confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, visceral involvement can occur.Different forms of Kaposi's sarcoma exist. One form appears spontaneously in Jewish and Italian males in Europe and the United States. A more aggressive variant is endemic in some parts of Africa among young children. Another form occurs in a small percentage of kidney transplant patients. There's also a high incidence in patients with AIDS, where HHV-8 is suspected to be the cause.
Example 1: A patient with HIV presents with multiple painless, purplish lesions on the skin of their lower legs and feet. Biopsy confirms Kaposi's sarcoma., Following a kidney transplant, a patient develops raised, reddish-brown nodules on their arms. These are diagnosed as Kaposi's sarcoma., A young child in a region of Africa where Kaposi's sarcoma is endemic presents with rapidly growing lesions on their face and neck.
Documentation should include the location and description of the lesions (size, color, texture), presence of lymphadenopathy or swelling, any diagnostic tests performed (biopsy, imaging, endoscopy), and confirmation of the diagnosis. Any underlying conditions, especially HIV or other immunosuppression, should be noted, as should the treatment plan.
- Specialties:Oncology, Dermatology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center