2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C49.0Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of head, face and neck
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C45-C49›C49
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
C49.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of head, face and neck. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 542 through 544. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sarcoma.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Angiosarcoma of cheek
- Leiomyosarcoma of scalp
- Malignant neoplasm of cartilage of ear
- Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of face
- Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of head
- Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of head and/or neck
- Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of neck
- Malignant neoplasm of tarsus of eyelid
- Malignant neoplasm soft tissues of cervical spine
- Neoplasm of blood vessel of face
- Neoplasm of blood vessel of neck
- Neoplasm of muscle of face
- Neoplasm of muscle of head
- Neoplasm of muscle of neck
- Primary adenocarcinoma of head
- Primary angiosarcoma of face
- Primary angiosarcoma of head
- Primary angiosarcoma of neck
- Primary leiomyosarcoma of face
- Primary leiomyosarcoma of head
- Primary leiomyosarcoma of neck
- Primary liposarcoma of soft tissue of face
- Primary liposarcoma of soft tissue of neck
- Primary liposarcoma of soft tissues of head
- Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of face
- Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of head
- Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of soft tissues of neck
- Primary malignant neoplasm of blood vessel of face
- Primary malignant neoplasm of blood vessel of head
- Primary malignant neoplasm of blood vessel of neck
- Primary malignant neoplasm of muscle of face
- Primary malignant neoplasm of muscle of head
- Primary malignant neoplasm of muscle of neck
- Primary malignant neoplasm of soft tissues of face
- Primary malignant neoplasm of soft tissues of head
- Primary malignant neoplasm of soft tissues of neck
- Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of face
- Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of head
- Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of neck
- Primary sarcoma of head
- Primary sarcoma of neck
- Primary sarcoma of tongue
- Sarcoma of face
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Malignant neoplasm of connective tissue of ear
- Malignant neoplasm of connective tissue of eyelid
Type 1 Excludes
- connective tissue of orbit C69.6
These 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.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.
| Site | Malig. Primary | Malig. Secondary | Ca in situ | Benign | Uncertain | Unspec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| carotid (artery) | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › auricular | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › ear (external) | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › eyelid | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › pinna | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › auricle (ear) | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › cervical region | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › cheek | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › chin | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › ear (external) | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › eyelid | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › face | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › forehead | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › head | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › neck | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › pterygoid fossa | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › scalp | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › submental | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › supraclavicular region | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › temple | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| connective tissue NEC › temporal region | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › cartilage | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| eyelid (lower) (skin) (upper) › cartilage | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| fossa (of) › pterygoid | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
| pterygoid fossa | C49.0 | C79.89 | – | D21.0 | D48.1 | D49.2 |
Patient EducationClinical
Cancer
Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Usually, your body forms new cells as needed, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should.
The full article covers:
- What is cancer?
- What are the types of cancer?
- How does cancer develop?
- What are the symptoms of cancer?
- How is cancer diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for cancer?
- Can cancer be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert C49.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C49.0Overview
Is C49.0 (Malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of head, face and neck on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does C49.0 group to?
When malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of head, face and neck is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 542, 543, 544, with relative weights from 0.7546 to 1.7665 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C49.0?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of head, face and neck converts to ICD-9-CM 171.0 (mal neo soft tissue head). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
