C34.31
BillableMalignant neoplasm of lower lobe, right 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 lower portion of the right lung or right main bronchus.
Coding Tips
- •Confirm documentation specifies right lower lobe involvement before assigning this code
- •Consider the extent of disease and whether it involves the bronchus, parenchyma, or both
Clinical Significance
Right lower lobe lung cancer is a common presentation that may be diagnosed later than upper lobe tumors due to the lower lobe's position behind the heart on posteroanterior chest X-ray. These tumors may involve the diaphragm, chest wall, or pleura. Accurate lobar and laterality coding supports surgical planning for lobectomy vs. pneumonectomy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology with histological type and molecular markers
- ✓Imaging confirming right lower lobe location
- ✓Assessment of diaphragmatic, chest wall, or pleural invasion
- ✓TNM staging with subcarinal node evaluation
- ✓Pulmonary function testing for surgical candidacy
Commonly Confused Codes
C34.32 — Left lower lobe: Verify laterality from imaging reportsC34.30 — Lower lobe, unspecified: Use C34.31 when right side is documentedC34.2 — Middle lobe: Tumors near the major fissure may cross; code primary locationC34.81 — Overlapping right lung: Use when tumor involves multiple right-sided lobes
Code Hierarchy
└C34Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung└C34.3Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, bronchus or lung└C34.31Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, right bronchus or lung
└C34.31Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, right bronchus or lung