C10

Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx

FY2027Chapter 2: Neoplasms/C00–C14 Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

Non-billable headerNot valid on its own. Use one of the more specific codes under it.

Use additional code
Excludes2

C10 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code category for malignant neoplasm of oropharynx. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are C10.0 Malignant neoplasm of vallecula, C10.1 Malignant neoplasm of anterior surface of epiglottis, C10.2 Malignant neoplasm of lateral wall of oropharynx, C10.3 Malignant neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx and 3 more. Its coding notes include a Use additional code instruction and 1 Excludes2 entry.

Guidelines tip

From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.

A primary malignancy code stays in use until treatment directed at that site is completed. After that, with no evidence of disease at the site, Z85 gives the former site.

Guidelines I.C.2.mCurrent malignancy versus personal history of malignancyRead the official text

Use additional code

Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.

This code

code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
- exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
- exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
- history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
- occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
- tobacco dependence (F17.-)
- tobacco use (Z72.0)

Excludes2

Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.

This code

malignant neoplasm of tonsil (C09.-)

Notes

Also from chapter/block level (8 notes)

Inherited from Chapter 2 Neoplasms

Functional activity
All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
Morphology [Histology]
Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

More specific codes under C10 7