2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C10.9

Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
C10.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx, unspecified
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
      (C00-C14)
      • Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx
        (C10)

C10.9 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of oropharynx, 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 fauces, faucial NEC or Neoplasm, neoplastic oropharynx .

Unspecified diagnosis codes like C10.9 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:

  • Acinar cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Adenosquamous carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Basal cell adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Basaloid carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of oropharynx
  • Clear cell adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Cystadenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Infiltrating duct carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Malignant epithelial neoplasm of oropharynx
  • Malignant tumor of oropharynx
  • Mucinous adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Myoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Oncocytic carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Oxyphilic adenocarcinoma
  • Oxyphilic adenocarcinoma
  • Papillary adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary acinar cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary adenosquamous cell carcinoma
  • Primary basal cell adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary basaloid carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of oropharynx
  • Primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary cystadenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary infiltrating duct carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of oropharynx
  • Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary mucinous carcinoma of digestive organ
  • Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary oxyphilic adenocarcinoma
  • Primary oxyphilic adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary papillary adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary papillary squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary salivary gland-type tumor of oropharynx
  • Primary spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma
  • Primary spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Primary undifferentiated carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Salivary gland type carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms

    tumors or cancer of the oropharynx.
  • Oropharynx

    the middle portion of the pharynx that lies posterior to the mouth, inferior to the soft palate, and superior to the base of the tongue and epiglottis. it has a digestive function as food passes from the mouth into the oropharynx before entering esophagus.

Convert C10.9 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 146.9 - Malig neo oropharynx 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
  »fauces, faucial NEC
C10.9C79.89D00.08D10.5D37.05D49.0
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »oropharynx
C10.9C79.89D00.08D10.5D37.05D49.0

Patient Education


Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. Throat cancer has different names, depending on which part of the throat is affected. The different parts of your throat are called the oropharynx, the hypopharynx, the nasopharynx, and the larynx, or voice box.

The main risk factors for throat cancer are using tobacco heavy drinking. Certain types of throat cancer also have other risk factors. For example, having HPV is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.

Symptoms of throat cancer may include:

  • A sore throat that does not go away
  • A lump in the neck
  • Pain or ringing in the ears
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Ear pain

To diagnose throat cancers, doctors may do a physical exam and history, imaging tests, and a biopsy. You may also need other tests, depending on the type of cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment for some types of throat cancer may also include targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the back of the throat. Oral cancers develop on the tongue, the tissue lining the mouth and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the area of the throat at the back of the mouth.
[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.