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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code C02

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C02

Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue

ICD-10-CM Code:
C02
ICD-10 Code for:
Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

C02 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like C02 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue

Non-specific codes like C02 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue:

  • Use C02.0 for Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of tongue - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.1 for Malignant neoplasm of border of tongue - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.2 for Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.3 for Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.4 for Malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tongue - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C02.9 for Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
      (C00-C14)
      • Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue
        (C02)

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence F10
  • history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
  • tobacco dependence F17
  • tobacco use Z72.0

Patient Education


Oral Cancer

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth. It is a type of head and neck cancer. Most oral cancers are squamous cell cancers. They begin in the flat cells that cover the surfaces of your mouth, tongue, and lips. The cancer cells may spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows.

Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, or an HPV infection.

Who is more likely to develop oral cancer?

Anyone can get oral cancer, but you are more likely to develop it if you:

  • Use tobacco or drink lots of alcohol. Your risk of developing oral cancer is even higher if you do both.
  • Are male.
  • Are over ago 40.
  • Have HPV.
  • Have a history of head or neck cancer.
  • Get frequent sun exposure (for lip cancer).

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The symptoms of oral cancer may include:

  • A white or red patch in your mouth
  • A lip or mouth sore that won't heal
  • Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip or mouth
  • Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well
  • Problems or pain with swallowing
  • A lump in your neck
  • Ear pain
  • Trouble moving your mouth or jaw
  • Swelling of the jaw
  • A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat

If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, see your health care provider or dentist. Oral cancer can spread quickly, so it's important to find it early.

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

To find out if you have oral cancer, your provider may use:

  • A physical exam of the lips and mouth.
  • An endoscopy.
  • A biopsy or other procedure to collect cells from the lip or oral cavity. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.
  • Imaging tests.

What are the treatments for oral cancer?

The treatments for oral cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, or both. After surgery, some people also need chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that are left.

Can oral cancer be prevented?

There are steps you can take to help prevent oral cancer:

  • Not smoking
  • Limiting alcohol use or not drinking at all
  • Getting regular dental exams

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.