C34.2
BillableMalignant neoplasm of middle lobe, bronchus or lung
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 20 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.000V24HCC 9 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.973ESRDHCC 9 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.000RxHCCHCC 20 — Cancer, Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer that starts in the middle lobe of the lung, which is located only on the right side of the body.
Coding Tips
- •The middle lobe exists only on the right lung, so this code inherently indicates right-sided disease
- •Do not use laterality modifiers with this code as the anatomy is already specified
Clinical Significance
Middle lobe lung cancer is less common than upper or lower lobe cancers. The middle lobe exists only on the right side, so this code inherently specifies right laterality. Middle lobe tumors may present with middle lobe syndrome (atelectasis) and are often discovered during workup for recurrent pneumonia or persistent infiltrates.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology with histological type and molecular markers
- ✓Imaging confirming middle lobe location (right lung by anatomy)
- ✓Assessment for middle lobe syndrome if atelectasis present
- ✓TNM staging with hilar and mediastinal node assessment
- ✓Treatment plan including surgical approach (middle lobectomy or bilobectomy)
Commonly Confused Codes
C34.11 — Right upper lobe: Tumors at the minor fissure may involve both; code the primary locationC34.31 — Right lower lobe: Tumors at the major fissure may cross; code primary siteC34.81 — Overlapping right lung sites: Use when the tumor clearly involves multiple right-sided lobesC34.12 — Left upper lobe lingula: The lingula is NOT the middle lobe; lingula is part of the left upper lobe
Code Hierarchy
└C34Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung└C34.2Malignant neoplasm of middle lobe, bronchus or lung
└C34.2Malignant neoplasm of middle lobe, bronchus or lung