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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynxICD-10-CM c10-malignant-neoplasm-of-oropharynx
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Oropharynx: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C10 includes malignant neoplasms of the oropharynx such as cancers of the tonsil, base of tongue, and soft palate, covering mucosal malignancies in the throat. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document primary oropharyngeal cancer diagnoses, capturing tumor site specificity and extent of local involvement relevant to staging and care planning. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C10 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C10: Malignant Neoplasm Of Oropharynx Overview

    The diagnoses in this group represent malignant tumors arising in the oropharynx, including sites such as the tonsils, base of tongue, and soft palate, and involve the mucosal structures of the throat. These conditions affect the head and neck region and often require multidisciplinary management. Accurate coding is essential for complete clinical documentation and supports appropriate reimbursement for oncology services.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a confirmed diagnosis documents a primary malignant neoplasm originating in the oropharynx. Select the specific code that corresponds to the documented anatomical site and laterality when applicable.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    7 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C10.0Malignant neoplasm of vallecula
    C10.1Malignant neoplasm of anterior surface of epiglottis
    C10.2Malignant neoplasm of lateral wall of oropharynx
    C10.3Malignant neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx
    C10.4Malignant neoplasm of branchial cleft
    C10.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of oropharynx
    C10.9Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx, 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 adult patient presents to the emergency department with several weeks of progressive painful throat mass, difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, and blood-tinged saliva. Physical exam reveals an exophytic oropharyngeal tumor involving the tonsillar region with palpable ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy; an urgent biopsy confirms invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. A code from this oropharyngeal neoplasm group is assigned to describe the primary malignant site and guide staging and treatment planning. Typical codes: C10.0, C10.2
    • A middle-aged patient is seen in ENT clinic for chronic sore throat, referred after an abnormal PET/CT shows focal uptake in the base of tongue; flexible laryngoscopy identifies a submucosal mass and core biopsy demonstrates carcinoma. This outpatient evaluation and diagnostic workup for a suspected or confirmed base of tongue malignancy leads to assignment of the appropriate oropharyngeal neoplasm code to document the anatomic primary. Typical codes: C10.4, C10.9
    • A patient with known oropharyngeal cancer status-post primary radiation therapy presents to oncology follow-up with new odynophagia and a friable lesion at the soft palate suspicious for local recurrence; imaging and confirmatory biopsy demonstrate recurrent malignant tumor at the soft palate requiring additional management. The encounter is coded to indicate recurrent or residual malignancy at the specific oropharyngeal subsite. Typical codes: C10.3, C10.8

    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

    C02-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-TONGUE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Parts 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

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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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