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Head and Neck Cancer ICD 10 Code
Refresher: What are ICD-10 Codes?
ICD-10 is a coding system used in healthcare to classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms. CM indicates “Clinical Modification” and is used in the U.S. for disease diagnoses (ICD-10-CM). ICD-10-PCS codes are used for coding procedures in inpatient settings. Both of these coding systems are used for medical claims and statistics purposes.
International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were developed in the 1850s as a system to standardize medical records and data using a single coding system. The ICD-10 (10th edition) began in 1983, with the World Health Organization managing the official list of codes. Countries that have adopted the ICD-10 have modified them based on their specific healthcare system requirements.
The U.S. version of the ICD-10 was constructed in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The code consists of two sets of medical codes, the ICD-10-PCS and the ICD-10-CM. The former is mainly used for coding procedures used in inpatient settings, while the latter is used for disease diagnosis.
The coding systems are used for statistical purposes as well as for processing medical claims. "ICD" denotes the International Classification of Diseases, while the numerical figure "10" denotes the edition (the classification is currently in its 10th edition). ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors (malignant neoplasms) and secondary or metastasized tumors (secondary malignant neoplasms).[1] Currently, there are over 70,000 ICD-10-PCS codes and around 68,000 ICD-10-CM codes used for defining malignant neoplasms.[2]
What is the ICD 10 Code for Head and Neck Cancer?
C76.0 is the ICD-10 code that is used for the specification of the types of malignant neoplasms found in the head, neck, and face. The ICD-10 C76.0 code [3] is billable and is valid for the year 2023 for all HIPAA-covered transactions.
Primary Head and Neck Cancer ICD 10 Code: C76.0
The paranasal sinuses are hollow gaps around the area of the nose. These small spaces are lined with cells that produce mucus, which prevents the nose from drying. Air passes through the nasal cavity, which is the passageway that's located just behind the nose.
The cancer, which develops either in the paranasal sinuses or the nasal cavity, is considered to be rare but does occur. According to research, men are more likely to develop this rare type of cancer as compared to women. Also, individuals who are over 45 years of age are more likely to develop this form of cancer.
Head and neck cancer can be difficult to detect since there are no initial symptoms, and when the symptoms do occur, it is mainly in the form of an infection. As a result, it is not uncommon for this type of cancer to be diagnosed after it has already reached an advanced stage, which is harder to treat.
/0 – The tumor is considered to be benign. At this stage, the cells that are present in the tissue will start multiplying uncontrollably. But, these cells are not able to destroy any of the surrounding tissue or spread to other areas of the body.
/1 – It isn't certain if the tumor is malignant or benign.
/2 – This means the cancer is at an early stage. In this precancerous stage, the cells are altered and begin multiplying uncontrollably, but the cells are still in the area they originated in and have not spread to other organs or parts of the body.
/3 – The cancer is malignant. At this stage, the cancerous cells which are in the tissue are altered, starting to multiply at an uncontrolled pace. During this stage, the cancer cells are also able to spread to other areas of the body and destroy any of the surrounding tissue the cells come in contact with.
/6 – It's a metastasis. This is where the cancer cells have spread from the site that it originally affected to another site in the body and has continued to multiply there.
/9 – It's malignant cancer or at a stage of metastasis. This is when the cells that are present in the affected tissue have been forcibly altered and multiply uncontrollably. It is not clear to say whether the cells have been derived from the site that has been affected or if the cells have spread from another part of the body.
Primary Head and Neck Cancer ICD Code C76.0 Lookup
Cancer develops in the cells. While the body constantly makes and breaks down cells which are the building blocks of the body, cancer [4] pertains to something going wrong, which results in the uncontrollable multiplication of cells.
This eventually results in the development of a tumor. While a tumor may be either benign or malignant, if the tumor is malignant or cancerous, it can spread to other parts of the body if the cancerous cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymph system.
C76.0: Malignant Neoplasm of Head and Neck Cancer
Types of Head and Neck Cancer Coded Under C76.0
Head and neck cancer includes cancers of the nose, sinuses, throat, mouth, lymph nodes, and salivary glands, which are located in the neck. Head and neck cancer mostly begins in the moist tissue which lines the nose, mouth, and throat, with symptoms including a change in one's voice, hoarseness, a sore throat, a lump that will not heal, and trouble swallowing.
There are five types of head and neck cancer that an individual may develop, which includes laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oral and oropharyngeal cancer, and salivary gland cancer.[5] It should be noted that there are other types of cancers that may occur in the head and neck area, which include, but aren't limited to, thyroid cancer, brain tumors, parathyroid cancer, sarcoma, and esophageal cancer, but both their diagnosis as well as their treatment is quite different.
Head and Neck Cancers Excluded from ICD-10 C76.0
The following are the types that have been excluded from ICD-10 C76; malignant neoplasm of female genitourinary tract NOS (C57.9), malignant neoplasm of male genitourinary tract NOS (C63.9), malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (C81-C96), malignant neoplasm of skin (C44.-), and malignant neoplasm of unspecified site NOS (C80.1).
Secondary and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer ICD 10 Code: C76.0
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is at an increased risk of developing secondary malignancy, which may be diagnosed either before or after the identification of the index tumor. When cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and start to grow in another part of the body, it is known as metastases or secondary cancer.
Secondary or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer ICD-10 Code C76.0 Lookup
The second primary malignancy is often diagnosed within six months of finding the index tumor, which is called a synchronous SPM, while a metachronous SPM is usually diagnosed six months after the diagnosis of the index tumor. It should also be noted that SPMs are required to be identified from metastasis or local recurrences of the primary tumor. [6]
Conclusion
Head and neck cancer can be successfully cured with the help of single-modality therapies, also known as surgery or radiation. However, the rate of success is significantly higher if the cancer is detected and identified early. Advanced head and neck cancer can be treated using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Over 550,000 patients are diagnosed with some form of head and neck cancer worldwide.