2021 ICD-10-CM Code C44.92
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
Valid for Submission
C44.92 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified. The code C44.92 is valid during the fiscal year 2021 from October 01, 2020 through September 30, 2021 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions.
The ICD-10-CM code C44.92 might also be used to specify conditions or terms like acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma, acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of skin, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, clear cell squamous cell carcinoma of skin, malignant neoplasm of nail apparatus , marjolin's ulcer, etc.
The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms apply to this code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic skin NOS squamous cell carcinoma .
Unspecified diagnosis codes like C44.92 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.
| ICD-10: | C44.92 |
| Short Description: | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified |
| Long Description: | Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified |
Code Classification
Approximate Synonyms
The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:
- Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma
- Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of skin
- Adenosquamous cell carcinoma
- Clear cell squamous cell carcinoma of skin
- Malignant neoplasm of nail apparatus
- Marjolin's ulcer
- Multiple squamous cell carcinomata
- PUVA therapy-associated skin malignancy
- PUVA therapy-associated squamous cell carcinoma
- Signet ring squamous cell carcinoma
- Spindle cell squamous carcinoma of skin
- Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma of nail apparatus
- Squamous cell carcinoma of skin
- Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma
Diagnostic Related Groups - MS-DRG Mapping
The ICD-10 code C44.92 is grouped in the following groups for version MS-DRG V38.0 What are Diagnostic Related Groups?
The Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a patient classification scheme which provides a means of relating the type of patients a hospital treats. The DRGs divides all possible principal diagnoses into mutually exclusive principal diagnosis areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). applicable from 10/01/2020 through 09/30/2021.
Convert C44.92 to ICD-9 Code
- 173.92 - Squam cell ca skin NOS
Table of Neoplasms
The code C44.92 is included 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 »skin NOS »squamous cell carcinoma | C44.92 |
Information for Patients
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
- Basal cell carcinoma (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Mohs micrographic surgery (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Skin lesion biopsy (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Skin self-exam (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Squamous cell skin cancer (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- 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)