C79.52
BillableSecondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 18 — Metastatic Cancer to Peritoneum and Other Specified Sites
0.368V24HCC 8 — Metastatic Cancer and Acute Leukemia
2.484ESRDHCC 8 — Metastatic Cancer and Acute Leukemia
0.000RxHCCHCC 17 — Metastatic Cancer to Kidney, Bone, and Other Sites
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer that has spread to the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that produces blood cells, from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
Coding Tips
- •Bone marrow involvement indicates advanced metastatic disease and may affect hematologic function; ensure primary cancer is documented and coded
- •This code specifically indicates marrow involvement rather than solid bone involvement (C79.51); verify documentation supports marrow infiltration
Clinical Significance
Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow indicates cancer has infiltrated the bone marrow, disrupting normal hematopoiesis. This condition can cause pancytopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and immunosuppression. Bone marrow metastases are distinct from primary bone marrow malignancies (leukemia, multiple myeloma) and indicate advanced-stage solid tumor disease.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Primary cancer site documented and coded separately
- ✓Bone marrow biopsy or aspirate confirming metastatic tumor cells
- ✓Complete blood count showing hematologic impact — anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
- ✓Distinction from primary bone marrow malignancies — leukemia, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome
- ✓Treatment approach — systemic chemotherapy, supportive transfusions, growth factors
Commonly Confused Codes
C79.51 — Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone; solid bone metastases are different from marrow infiltrationC91-C95 — Leukemias; these are primary bone marrow malignancies, not secondaryC90.0 — Multiple myeloma; myeloma is a primary plasma cell neoplasm of marrow, not metastaticD46.9 — Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified; this is a primary marrow disorder, not metastatic disease