2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.90
Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- C44.90
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified
- Is Billable?
- Yes - Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
- Chronic
- Code Navigator:
C44.90 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified. 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 this diagnosis code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic connective tissue NEC skin (dermis) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, by site] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic nail [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic scar NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, by site] ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS ; Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS limb NEC ; Neoplasm, neoplastic sudoriferous, sudoriparous gland, site unspecified ; Neoplasm, neoplastic sweat gland (apocrine) (eccrine), site unspecified ; etc
Unspecified diagnosis codes like C44.90 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:
- Adverse effect from PUVA photochemotherapy
- Arsenic-induced skin malignancy
- Carcinoma of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast
- Local recurrence of malignant tumor of skin
- Malignant epithelial neoplasm of skin
- Malignant neoplasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast
- Malignant neoplasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast
- Malignant neoplasm of nail apparatus
- Malignant neoplasm of skin
- Malignant skin tumor with eccrine differentiation
- Malignant tumor of dermis
- Malignant tumor of epidermal appendage
- Malignant vascular tumor of skin
- Muir-Torré syndrome
- Neoplastic complication of procedure
- Occupational cancer of skin
- Pigmentation defects, palmoplantar keratoderma, skin carcinoma syndrome
- Primary malignant neoplasm of adnexa of skin
- Primary malignant neoplasm of sebaceous gland
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin due to and following radiotherapy caused by ionizing radiation
- Primary malignant neoplasm of sweat gland
- PUVA therapy-associated skin malignancy
- Radiation-induced skin malignancy
- Scarring alopecia of scalp due to malignant neoplasm of skin
- Skin disease due to arsenic
- Toxicoderma
- Undifferentiated adnexal carcinoma of skin
Clinical Classification
Clinical Category is Skin cancers - all other types
- CCSR Category Code: NEO028
- Inpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
- Outpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.
Inclusion Terms
Inclusion TermsThese 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.
- Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of skin
Convert C44.90 to ICD-9-CM
- ICD-9-CM Code: 173.90 - Malig neo skin site NOS
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 »connective tissue NEC »skin (dermis) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, by site] | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »nail [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb] | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »scar NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, by site] | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »skin NOS »limb NEC | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »sudoriferous, sudoriparous gland, site unspecified | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | D48.5 | D49.2 |
»Neoplasm, neoplastic »sweat gland (apocrine) (eccrine), site unspecified | C44.90 | C79.2 | D04.9 | D23.9 | 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 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.