Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 176.9
Kaposi's sarcoma, unspecified site
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 176.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 176.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 176.9 converts directly to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM C46.9 Kaposi's sarcoma, unspecified
Approximate Synonyms
  • Cancer of the multiple organs, Kaposi sarcoma
  • Cancer of the viscera, Kaposi sarcoma
  • Cancer, Kaposi sarcoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma of visceral organ
  • Kaposi sarcoma, multiple organs
  • Kaposi sarcoma, visceral organ
  • Kaposi's sarcoma (clinical)
  • Kaposi's sarcoma (disorder)
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of multiple organs
Clinical Information
  • (kap-o-seez sar-ko-ma) a type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally
  • A cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin,
  • A malignant neoplasm characterized by a vascular proliferation which usually contains blunt endothelial cells. Erythrocyte extravasation and hemosiderin deposition are frequently present. The most frequent site of involvement is the skin; however it may also occur internally. It generally develops in people with compromised immune systems including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids)
  • A multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas. The tumors have endothelium-lined channels and vascular spaces admixed with variably sized aggregates of spindle-shaped cells, and often remain confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but widespread visceral involvement may occur. Kaposi's sarcoma occurs spontaneously in jewish and italian males in europe and the United States. An aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of africa. A third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients. There is also a high incidence in aids patients. (from Dorland, 27th ed & holland et al., cancer medicine, 3d ed, pp2105-7) hhv-8 is the suspected cause
  • A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally
  • Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs. The patches are usually red or purple and are made of cancer cells and blood cells. The red and purple patches often cause no symptoms, though they may be painful. If the cancer spreads to the digestive tract or lungs, bleeding can result. Lung tumors can make breathing hard.before the hiv/aids epidemic, ks usually developed slowly. In hiv/aids patients, though, the disease moves quickly. Treatment depends on where the lesions are and how bad they are. Treatment for hiv itself can shrink the lesions. However, treating ks does not improve survival from hiv/aids itself. nih: national cancer institute
  • Multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas; occurs spontaneously in jewish and italian males; aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of africa; a third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients; there is also a high incidence in aids patients; human herpesvirus 8 is the suspected cause
Applies To
  • Viscera NOS
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 176.9:
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 176.9 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.