C74.10
BillableMalignant neoplasm of medulla of unspecified adrenal gland
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 22 — Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers
0.000V24HCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.675ESRDHCC 10 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.000RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer that develops in the inner portion (medulla) of an adrenal gland, but it is unclear which side (left or right) is affected.
Coding Tips
- •This unspecified laterality code should only be used when documentation does not clearly indicate left or right; query provider for clarification when possible
- •Pheochromocytoma is the typical malignancy of the adrenal medulla; confirm histological diagnosis in pathology report
Clinical Significance
Malignant neoplasm of the medulla of an unspecified adrenal gland represents malignant pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma arising from the inner adrenal compartment without laterality documentation. Adrenal medullary malignancies can cause life-threatening catecholamine crises. The unspecified laterality should prompt a query to the provider.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming malignancy of the adrenal medulla (malignant pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma)
- ✓Laterality — query provider for right (C74.11) or left (C74.12) specification
- ✓Catecholamine and metanephrine levels (plasma and/or urine)
- ✓Documentation confirming medulla (not cortex) as tissue of origin
- ✓Staging information and any evidence of metastatic disease
Commonly Confused Codes
C74.11/C74.12 — Right/left adrenal medulla: Use lateralized codes when side is documentedC74.00-C74.02 — Adrenal cortex malignancy: Different compartment — medulla vs. cortexD35.00 — Benign neoplasm of adrenal gland: Benign pheochromocytomas are more common than malignant onesE27.5 — Adrenomedullary hyperfunction: Functional condition, not neoplasticC74.90 — Unspecified part of unspecified adrenal gland: Use C74.10 when medulla is specified
Code Hierarchy
└C74Malignant neoplasm of adrenal gland└C74.1Malignant neoplasm of medulla of adrenal gland└C74.10Malignant neoplasm of medulla of unspecified adrenal gland
└C74.10Malignant neoplasm of medulla of unspecified adrenal gland