Cytologic evidence of malignancy on smear of cervix

This code indicates the presence of malignant cells identified during a microscopic examination of a cervical smear, typically a Pap test. It signifies a positive finding for malignancy based on cytology, suggesting the presence of cervical cancer or high-grade pre-cancerous lesions.

Use this code when a pathology report for a cervical cytology specimen (e.g., Pap test) explicitly states "positive for malignant cells" or provides similar definitive cytological evidence of malignancy. This code is appropriate for initial diagnosis or follow-up of suspected cervical cancer based on cytology.

• Do not use this code for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL); these have their own specific codes.
• This code represents a cytological finding, not a definitive histological diagnosis of cancer. A biopsy is typically required for confirmation.
• Sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when the cytological finding is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when further workup is being performed for this finding.