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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynxICD-10-CM c02-malignant-neoplasm-of-tongue
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Parts Of Tongue: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C02 includes malignant neoplasms of other and unspecified parts of the tongue, covering cancers of tongue subsites not otherwise specified and tumors of overlapping or unspecified tongue locations. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for primary tongue malignancies, capturing tumor location, extent, and related clinical complexity relevant to head and neck oncology care. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C02 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C02: Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Parts Of Tongue Overview

    This group includes malignant tumors arising in parts of the tongue not classified elsewhere or recorded as unspecified. It targets cancers of the oral tongue and adjacent tongue subsites within the head and neck region. Accurate coding is important for documenting tumor location, staging relevance, and proper reimbursement for oncology and surgical services.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinical record documents a malignant neoplasm of the tongue without specification to a defined subsite or when the tumor arises in an area categorized as other. Apply these codes for initial diagnosis, follow-up visits, or treatment encounters when the documentation supports a tongue malignancy lacking a more specific location code.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    7 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C02.0Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of tongue
    C02.1Malignant neoplasm of border of tongue
    C02.2Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
    C02.3Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified
    C02.4Malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil
    C02.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tongue
    C02.9Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    6 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    011Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
    012Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
    013Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
    146Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with MCC
    147Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with CC
    148Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An older adult with a history of tobacco and heavy alcohol use presents to the ENT clinic with a 2-month history of a non-healing ulcer and progressive pain on the lateral tongue, difficulty swallowing solids, and a palpable ipsilateral cervical lymph node. Examination reveals an exophytic mass on the lateral border of the tongue; biopsy confirms invasive squamous cell carcinoma localized to the lateral tongue. A code from this group is assigned to document the primary malignant lesion of the lateral tongue. Typical codes: C02.1, C02.2
    • A middle-aged patient is admitted to the emergency department with acute bleeding and airway compromise from a rapidly enlarging tumor that involves the base of the tongue, causing dyspnea and stridor. Imaging and urgent biopsy are consistent with a malignant neoplasm of the base of the tongue requiring emergent airway management and oncology referral. A code from this group is used to capture the malignant lesion at the base of tongue as the primary diagnosis driving the acute presentation. Typical codes: C02.3, C02.9
    • A cancer survivor who previously underwent partial glossectomy and radiotherapy for a lateral tongue malignancy presents for routine oncology follow-up with new nodular recurrence at the site and persistent speech and swallowing dysfunction as sequelae of treatment. Clinical assessment and biopsy confirm recurrent or residual malignant disease of the tongue requiring restaging and further management; a code from this group documents the current malignant involvement and guides follow-up care and staging. Typical codes: C02.2, C02.8

    Related Codes

    C00-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-LIP

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Lip: Group Overview

    C01-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-BASE-OF-TONGUE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Base Of Tongue: Group Overview

    C03-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-GUM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Gum: Group Overview

    C04-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-FLOOR-OF-MOUTH

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Floor Of Mouth: Group Overview

    C05-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-PALATE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Palate: Group Overview

    C06-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-MOUTH

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Parts Of Mouth: Group Overview

    C07-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-PAROTID-GLAND

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Parotid Gland: Group Overview

    C08-MALIGNANT-SALIVARY-GLAND-NEOPLASMS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Major Salivary Glands: Group Overview

    C09-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-TONSIL

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Tonsil: Group Overview

    C10-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-OROPHARYNX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Oropharynx: Group Overview

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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