2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C05.9Malignant neoplasm of palate, unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C00-C14›C05
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
C05.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of palate, 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 malignant melanoma of palate. 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.
- Malignant melanoma of palate
- Malignant neoplasm of inferior aspect of palate
- Malignant neoplasm of junction of hard and soft palate
- Malignant neoplasm of palate
- Palate carcinoma
- Primary adenocarcinoma of palate
- Primary malignant neoplasm of palate
- Primary palate carcinoma
- Primary salivary gland type carcinoma of palate
- Squamous cell carcinoma of palate
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Malignant neoplasm of roof of mouth
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.
Clinical InformationClinical
Cleft Palate
congenital fissure of the soft and/or hard palate, due to faulty fusion.Palatal Obturators
appliances that close a cleft or fissure of the palate.Palate
the structure that forms the roof of the mouth. it consists of the anterior hard palate (palate, hard) and the posterior soft palate (palate, soft).Palate, Hard
the anteriorly located rigid section of the palate.Palate, Soft
a movable fold suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate. the uvula hangs from the middle of the lower border.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.
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 C05.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C05.9Overview
Is C05.9 (Malignant neoplasm of palate) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant neoplasm of palate, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does C05.9 group to?
When malignant neoplasm of palate, 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 C05.9?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of palate, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 145.5 (malignant neo palate NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
