2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C02.2Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C00-C14›C02

ICD-10-CM C02.2
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C02.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 146 through 148. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Head and neck cancers - lip and oral cavity.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C02.2
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
C02
Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC00-C14Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
CategoryC02Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue
This CodeC02.2Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Carcinoma of frenum linguae
  • Carcinoma ventral surface of tongue
  • Malignant neoplasm of frenulum linguae
  • Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
  • Neoplasm of frenulum linguae
  • Primary carcinoma of frenum linguae
  • Primary carcinoma ventral surface of tongue
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of oral part of tongue
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
  • Primary squamous cell carcinoma of oral part of tongue
  • Primary squamous cell carcinoma of ventral surface of tongue
  • Primary tongue carcinoma

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, ventral surface
  • Malignant neoplasm of frenulum linguae

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO002
Head and neck cancers - lip and oral cavity
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
frenulumC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
frenulum › linguaeC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue › anterior (two-thirds) NEC › ventral surfaceC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue › frenulum linguaeC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue › surface (dorsal) › ventralC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0

Patient EducationClinical

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.

The full article covers:

  • What is oral cancer?
  • Who is more likely to develop oral cancer?
  • What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
  • How is oral cancer diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for oral cancer?
  • Can oral cancer be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert C02.2 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
141.3 Mal neo ventral tongue
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About C02.2Overview

Is C02.2 (Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C02.2 group to?

When malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 146, 147, 148, with relative weights from 0.7971 to 2.1174 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C02.2?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue converts to ICD-9-CM 141.3 (mal neo ventral tongue). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.