2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C08Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C00-C14›C08

ICD-10-CM C08
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C08 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C08.0, C08.1, and C08.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C08
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of other and unsp major salivary glands
Chapter
C00-C14
Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC00-C14Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
CategoryC08Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands
This CodeC08Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of other and unsp major salivary glandsOverview

Non-specific codes like C08 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C08.0 for Malignant neoplasm of submandibular gland

  • Use C08.1 for Malignant neoplasm of sublingual gland

  • Use C08.9 for Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C08: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • malignant neoplasm of salivary ducts

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • malignant neoplasms of specified minor salivary glands which are classified according to their anatomical location

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

  • malignant neoplasms of minor salivary glands NOS (C06.9)
  • malignant neoplasm of parotid gland (C07)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • 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)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • 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).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name C08, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 3

These notes mention C08.

  • Z80.8 Family history of malignant neoplasm of other organs or systems
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14, C40-C49, C69-C79 names C00-C14, which includes this code
  • Z85.8 Personal history of malignant neoplasms of other organs and systems
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14, C40-C49, C69-C75, C7A.098, C76-C79 names C00-C14, which includes this code
  • Z85.81 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity, and pharynx
    Conditions classifiable to C00-C14 names C00-C14, which includes this code

Patient EducationClinical

Salivary Gland Cancer

Your salivary glands make saliva - sometimes called spit - and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps you chew and swallow. It helps you digest your food. It also cleans your mouth and contains antibodies that can kill germs.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About C08Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands?

C08 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C08 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary glands need a more specific code from this category, such as C08.0, C08.1, and C08.9.

Does C08 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: 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); and 2 more listed in the Instructional Notes section. The additional code is reported after C08.