2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C02.3Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C00-C14›C02
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
C02.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified. 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. Coders also document this condition as carcinoma of dorsal surface of anterior tongue. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Head and neck cancers - lip and oral cavity.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Carcinoma of dorsal surface of anterior tongue
- Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue
- Malignant neoplasm of border of tongue
- Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of anterior tongue
- Malignant neoplasm of lateral margin of tongue
- Neoplasm of dorsal surface of oral part of tongue
- Neoplasm of lateral border of tongue
- Primary malignant neoplasm of oral part of tongue
- Primary squamous cell carcinoma of oral part of tongue
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Malignant neoplasm of middle third of tongue NOS
- Malignant neoplasm of mobile part of tongue NOS
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
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 C02.3 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C02.3Overview
Is C02.3 (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 anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does C02.3 group to?
When malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified 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 C02.3?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 141.4 (mal neo ant 2/3 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.
