Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What Are ICD-10 Codes?

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. It is a coding system used in healthcare to classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms systematically. 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.

World Health Organization or WHO authorized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) for mortality coding and classification. Even though the initial edition of this coding system was launched in the 1850s, it soon became obsolete as it could not meet the modern classification of new diseases or the contemporary healthcare industry challenges.

The U.S. adopted the ICD 9 coding to develop ICD 9-CM, which it has been using since 1979. However, the ICD 9-CM did not sufficiently address the requirements of the industry's future trends. Additionally, the information present in this disease classification resource was clinically inaccurate and provided limited data about patients' medical history and health challenges.

To overcome the shortcomings of ICD9, the world welcomed ICD10 in 2015. It offers accurate data on mortality and disease classification. The data enables the seamless tracking of public health conditions and fosters epidemiological research while measuring the outcomes of clinical decisions.

The ICD 10-CM enabled easier comparison of morbidity and mortality data, enhanced the data quality via detailed disease classification, the laid the ground rules for modern classifications to support the consistently evolving healthcare industry challenges and standards. [1]

In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary tumors ("malignant neoplasms") and for secondary or metastasized tumors ("secondary malignant neoplasms"). [2]

What Is the ICD 10 Code for Oropharyngeal Cancer?

For primary oropharyngeal tumors, the general ICD-10 code is ICD C10 (malignant neoplasm of the pharynx and oral cavity.) Meanwhile, for secondary or metastatic tumors, the ICD-10 code is 79.89 (secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified sites.)

Primary Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD 10 Code: C10

Primary Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD Code C10

Below is a table of the ICD 10 oropharyngeal cancer codes for primary oropharyngeal cancer, which is classified under C10, "malignant neoplasm of the pharynx and oral cavity." [3]

C10: Malignant Neoplasm of Oropharynx

Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD Code

Types of Oropharyngeal Cancer Coded Under C10

The ICD 10 code C10 does not specify the subtype of oropharyngeal cancer. It can be used for primary oropharyngeal cancers of various cell types. These include the vallecula, epiglottis, the posterior and lateral wall of the oropharynx, the branchial cleft, and unspecified oropharynx sites.

Oropharyngeal Cancers Excluded from ICD-10 C10

ICD code for oropharyngeal cancer C10 does not include the following:

  • C09: Malignant neoplasm of tonsil
  • C09.0: Malignant neoplasm of tonsillar fossa
  • C09.1: Malignant neoplasm of tonsillar pillar (anterior) (posterior)
  • C09.8: Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tonsils
  • C09.9: Malignant neoplasm of the tonsil, unspecified

Secondary and Metastatic Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD 10 code: C79.89

Secondary or Metastatic Oropharyngeal Cancer ICD-10 Code C79.89

Secondary or metastatic cancers spread to other parts of your body after originating in the primary site, which is the oropharynx region in this case. Cancer metastasizing from other locations might form the same tumor as it formed in the primary site.

The ICD 10 oropharyngeal cancer codes for secondary oropharyngeal cancers, or oropharyngeal cancers that have metastasized from other origins, are C79.89, "secondary neoplasm of other and unspecified sites." [4] This code is ideal for metastasized oropharyngeal cancer, with the specific type and location of cancer not known.

Conclusion

The ICD 10 code for oropharyngeal cancer depends on the origin of cancer growth. It might form in the affected individual's vallecula, oropharynx, epiglottis, branchial cleft, or other unspecified oropharynx sites. Primary oropharyngeal cancer growth occurring in all these sites can be defined by the ICD 10 code C10.

Remember that the evaluation of the ICD 10 code is based on various factors. The origin and pathophysiology of the tumor play a key role in assigning codes. Moreover, a patient's medical history and lymphoma diagnosis also contribute to the code's classification.