C44.29 - Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal

Version 2023
ICD-10:C44.29
Short Description:Oth malignant neoplasm skin/ ear and external auric canal
Long Description:Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal
Status: Not Valid for Submission
Version:ICD-10-CM 2023
Code Classification:
  • Neoplasms (C00–D48)
    • Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (C43-C44)
      • Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin (C44)

C44.29 is a non-specific and non-billable ICD-10 code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2023 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.

The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms reference this diagnosis code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] skin specified type NEC or Neoplasm, neoplastic earlobe specified type NEC or Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS ear (external) specified type NEC .

Specific Coding for Oth malignant neoplasm skin/ ear and external auric canal

Non-specific codes like C44.29 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for oth malignant neoplasm skin/ ear and external auric canal:

  • BILLABLE CODE - Use C44.291 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use C44.292 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use C44.299 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of left ear and external auricular canal

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10 code(s). The following references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index:

Table of Neoplasms

This code is referenced in the table of neoplasms by anatomical site. For each site there are six possible code numbers according to whether the neoplasm in question is malignant, benign, in situ, of uncertain behavior, or of unspecified nature. The description of the neoplasm will often indicate which of the six columns is appropriate.

Where such descriptors are not present, the remainder of the Index should be consulted where guidance is given to the appropriate column for each morphological (histological) variety listed. However, the guidance in the Index can be overridden if one of the descriptors mentioned above is present.

Neoplasm, neoplastic Malignant
Primary
Malignant
Secondary
CaInSitu Benign Uncertain
Behavior
Unspecified
Behavior
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]
    »skin
      »specified type NEC
C44.29
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »earlobe
    »specified type NEC
C44.29
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »ear (external)
      »specified type NEC
C44.29

Patient Education


Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who :

You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and biologic therapy. PDT uses a drug and a type of laser light to kill cancer cells. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History