C50.612
BillableMalignant neoplasm of axillary tail of left female breast
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 23 — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers
0.251V24HCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.150ESRDHCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.000RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer that develops in the axillary tail (the extension of breast tissue toward the armpit) of the left female breast.
Coding Tips
- •The axillary tail is an important anatomical location as it extends into the armpit region and may involve lymph nodes
- •Verify laterality is documented as 'left' before assigning this code; right-sided tumors require C50.611
Clinical Significance
Cancer of the axillary tail of the left female breast involves the breast tissue that extends toward the left axilla. Due to its proximity to lymphatic drainage pathways, tumors in this location require careful assessment of lymph node involvement and may present diagnostic challenges in distinguishing primary breast tissue malignancy from axillary pathology.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmed female patient sex
- ✓Laterality documented as left breast
- ✓Specific site identified as axillary tail
- ✓Lymph node assessment and involvement status
- ✓Histological type and grade
- ✓TNM staging
- ✓Imaging studies confirming axillary tail as the primary site
Commonly Confused Codes
C50.611 — Axillary tail of right female breast; laterality reversalC50.412 — Upper-outer quadrant of left female breast; axillary tail is distinct from upper-outer quadrantC77.3 — Secondary malignant neoplasm of axillary lymph nodes; do not confuse primary breast cancer in the axillary tail with lymph node metastasis