Secondary malignant neoplasm of mediastinum

This code signifies the presence of a malignant tumor in the mediastinum that has spread from a primary cancer site elsewhere in the body. It indicates metastatic disease affecting the space between the lungs, which contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a secondary or metastatic malignant neoplasm located in the mediastinum. This typically occurs in patients with a known primary cancer who develop new lesions in this anatomical region, confirmed by imaging or biopsy.

• Always sequence the primary malignant neoplasm code before this secondary site code, unless the primary site is unknown or has been excised and is no longer being treated.
• Distinguish carefully between primary mediastinal tumors (e.g., lymphomas, thymomas) and metastatic disease to the mediastinum.
• Ensure documentation specifies "secondary" or "metastatic" to the mediastinum, rather than an unspecified or primary mediastinal malignancy.