Kaposi's sarcoma, skin

This code identifies a malignant vascular tumor, Kaposi's sarcoma, specifically when it manifests on the skin. It is characterized by reddish-purple lesions that can appear anywhere on the body's surface. This condition is often associated with immunosuppression, particularly in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Assign this code for documented cases of Kaposi's sarcoma where the primary or only site of involvement is the skin. This code is appropriate when the physician's documentation clearly specifies cutaneous lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma. Support for this code includes pathology reports confirming Kaposi's sarcoma and clinical notes describing skin lesions.

• Do not use this code if Kaposi's sarcoma involves internal organs or lymph nodes; specific codes for those sites exist.
• Always code the underlying cause, such as HIV infection (042), if applicable, in addition to this code.
• Ensure documentation specifies "skin" involvement to differentiate from other Kaposi's sarcoma sites.