Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of rectum

📋Clinical Description

This code identifies a malignant neoplasm arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal, specifically located within the rectum. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a type of soft tissue sarcoma that can occur anywhere in the GI tract, with rectal involvement being less common but clinically significant.

🎯When to Use

Apply this code for confirmed diagnoses of GIST originating in the rectal wall. Documentation should clearly state the tumor's histological type as GIST and its primary site as the rectum, typically supported by pathology reports and imaging.

💡Coding Tips

Ensure the pathology report explicitly identifies the tumor as a GIST and specifies the rectal location.
Do not confuse with other rectal malignancies, such as adenocarcinoma, which have distinct coding.
Code the behavior as malignant (C49.A5) even if the tumor is small or appears low-grade, as all GISTs have malignant potential.

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Code Hierarchy

▲C49.AGastrointestinal stromal tumor

C49.A5(current)

Same Category

C49Malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue C49.0Malig neoplm of conn and soft tissue of head, face and neck C49.1Malig neoplm of conn and soft tiss of upper limb, inc shldr C49.10Malig neoplm of conn & soft tiss of unsp upr lmb, inc shldr C49.11Malig neoplm of conn and soft tiss of r upr limb, inc shldr C49.12Malig neoplm of conn and soft tiss of l upr limb, inc shldr