2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.609

Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder

ICD-10-CM Code:
C44.609
ICD-10 Code for:
Unsp malignant neoplasm skin/ left upper limb, inc shoulder
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
      (C43-C44)
      • Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
        (C44)

C44.609 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

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 C44.609 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 left shoulder
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of left upper limb
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of shoulder

Clinical Classification

Convert C44.609 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 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]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »antecubital space [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »arm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »elbow [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »forearm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »hand [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »limb NEC
      »upper
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »palm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »shoulder [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »thumb [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »skin NOS
    »wrist [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]
C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2

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 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • 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. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

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.