Melanoma Documentation Guide
Malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
ICD-10 Codes: C43.0, C43.1, C43.2, C43.3, C43.4, C43.5, C43.6, C43.7, C43.8, C43.9
Common Symptoms
- Asymmetric pigmented lesion
- Irregular borders
- Color variation
- Diameter >6mm
- Evolving lesion
Key Documentation Elements
- Breslow thickness and Clark level
- Ulceration status and mitotic rate
- AJCC TNM staging and sentinel lymph node biopsy results
- Mutation testing (BRAF V600E, NRAS, c-KIT)
- Treatment plan (WLE margins, immunotherapy, targeted therapy)
Documentation Challenges
- Documenting Breslow thickness and ulceration status
- Recording AJCC staging with sentinel lymph node results
- Capturing BRAF/MEK mutation testing and immunotherapy details
- Tracking wide local excision margins and surveillance imaging
Billing Considerations
- Site-specific melanoma coding (C43.0 lip through C43.9 unspecified)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure coding
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapy administration billing
Frequently Asked Questions
How is melanoma staged and coded?
Melanoma uses site-specific C43.x codes plus staging by Breslow thickness, ulceration, sentinel node status, and metastasis. Scribeable captures all staging components from your documentation for accurate coding.
How does Scribeable support melanoma treatment documentation?
Scribeable records Breslow depth, mutation results, surgical margins, immunotherapy regimens, and surveillance imaging from your encounter, creating comprehensive melanoma management documentation.