The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Selective internal radiation therapy for non-resectable colorectal metastases in the liver.
It replaces the previous guidance on selective internal radiation therapy for colorectal metastases in the liver (NICE interventional procedures guidance 93, September 2004).
Description
Colorectal liver metastasis is cancer that has spread to the liver from the bowel. Selective internal radiation therapy (known as SIRT) uses radiation put into the patient’s liver to kill the cancer cells. Tiny radioactive ‘beads’ are injected into the artery that supplies blood to the liver (the hepatic artery). The beads become trapped (embolise) in the tiny blood vessels surrounding the cancer, releasing radiation directly onto it.
Coding recommendations
J12.3 Selective internal radiotherapy with microspheres to lesion of liver
X65.3 Delivery of a fraction of interstitial radiotherapy
Y36.4 Introduction of non-removable radioactive substance into organ for brachytherapy NOC
Y89.- Brachytherapy (where necessary)
Y53.4 Approach to organ under fluoroscopic control
In addition the ICD-10 code C78.7 Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct and a code from category C18.- Malignant neoplasm of colon would be recorded.