Chronic and other pulmonary manifestations due to radiation

This code signifies long-term or persistent lung conditions that develop as a direct consequence of radiation therapy. It encompasses a spectrum of pulmonary damage, including fibrosis, pneumonitis, and other chronic changes, resulting from therapeutic or accidental radiation exposure.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a causal link between radiation exposure (e.g., for cancer treatment) and subsequent chronic lung pathology. This is appropriate for patients presenting with symptoms like dyspnea, cough, or imaging findings consistent with radiation-induced lung injury, occurring weeks, months, or years after radiation therapy.

• Always sequence this code after the primary malignancy code (if applicable) and the code for the adverse effect of radiation therapy (e.g., T66.XXXA).
• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" or "late" manifestations to differentiate from acute radiation pneumonitis.
• Do not use for acute radiation pneumonitis; refer to codes within T66 for acute adverse effects.