Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx (C14) ICD-10-CM
The C14 code range covers malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx with 4 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 3 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence F10
- exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z77.22
- exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period P96.81
- history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
- occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z57.31
- tobacco dependence F17
- tobacco use Z72.0
Type 1 Excludes
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.
- malignant neoplasm of oral cavity NOS C06.9
Codes in the C14 Range 4 codes · 3 billable
About the C14 Code Range
The ICD-10 code C14 categorizes malignant tumors found in less specific or overlapping parts of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx. These codes address cancers that do not fit neatly into more clearly defined site categories within these areas.
The section includes specific codes such as C14.0 for malignant neoplasms of the pharynx when the precise location is unspecified, which also covers terms like "squamous cell carcinoma of pharynx" and "malignant tumor of ear, nose and throat." C14.2 is used for cancers of Waldeyer's ring, a lymphoid tissue in the throat, often noted as "primary squamous cell carcinoma of Waldeyer’s ring." Meanwhile, C14.8 applies to tumors overlapping the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx and includes several synonyms such as "carcinoma of lip, oral cavity and pharynx" and "primary malignant neoplasm of gum and contiguous sites." These codes help healthcare providers accurately document malignancies that span multiple adjacent areas or lack precise localization, ensuring better clinical and billing correspondence for head and neck cancers.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the C14 range?
Of the 4 codes in this range, 3 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the C14 range classify?
The range classifies malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
