C44.602 - Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder
| ICD-10: | C44.602 |
| Short Description: | Unsp malignant neoplasm skin/ right upper limb, inc shoulder |
| Long Description: | Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder |
| Status: | Valid for Submission |
| Version: | ICD-10-CM 2023 |
| Code Classification: |
C44.602 is a billable ICD-10 code used to specify a medical diagnosis of unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder. The code is valid during the fiscal year 2023 from October 01, 2022 through September 30, 2023 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions.
The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms reference the parent code C44.60 of the current diagnosis code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic nail [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb] finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS antecubital space [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS arm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS elbow [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS forearm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS hand [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] ; etc
Unspecified diagnosis codes like C44.602 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Approximate Synonyms
The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of right shoulder
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of shoulder
Convert to ICD-9 Code
| Source ICD-10 Code | Target ICD-9 Code | |
|---|---|---|
| C44.602 | 173.60 - Mal neo skin up limb NOS | |
| Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code. | ||
Table of Neoplasms
The parent code C44.60 of the current diagnosis 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 »nail [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb] »finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »antecubital space [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »arm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »elbow [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »forearm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »hand [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »limb NEC »upper | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »palm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »shoulder [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »thumb [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
| »Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »wrist [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper] | C44.60 | C79.2 | D04.6 | D23.6 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
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 :
- Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned
- Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes
- Have a family member with skin cancer
- Are over age 50
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
- FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
- FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)
