Malignant neoplasm of ovary (C56)
The ICD-10 code C56 and its subdivisions are used to classify malignant neoplasms, or cancers, of the ovary. These codes specify whether the cancer affects the right ovary (C56.1), left ovary (C56.2), both ovaries (C56.3), or an unspecified ovary site (C56.9).
Specifically, these codes capture a range of malignant ovarian tumors, including serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma, and various germ cell tumors. For example, the ICD-10 code C56.1 covers diagnoses such as right ovarian primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and malignant sex cord tumor of the right ovary, helping to differentiate this from left-sided or bilateral cases. Similarly, C56.2 is used for left ovary cancers with similar histological types. The C56.9 code encompasses malignant ovarian tumors when the specific ovary is not identified or when more general terms like familial ovarian cancer or malignant granulosa cell tumor are indicated. Utilizing these precise codes improves clarity in medical records and billing for ovarian cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Instructional Notations
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 any functional activity
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Choriocarcinoma
A malignant metastatic form of trophoblastic tumors. Unlike the HYDATIDIFORM MOLE, choriocarcinoma contains no CHORIONIC VILLI but rather sheets of undifferentiated cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts (TROPHOBLASTS). It is characterized by the large amounts of CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN produced. Tissue origins can be determined by DNA analyses: placental (fetal) origin or non-placental origin (CHORIOCARCINOMA, NON-GESTATIONAL).
Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational
A highly malignant CHORIOCARCINOMA derived from the non-placental origin such as the totipotent cells in the TESTIS, the OVARY, and the PINEAL GLAND. It produces high levels of CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN and can metastasize widely through the bloodstream to the lungs, brain, liver, bone, and other viscera by the time of diagnosis.
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
Autosomal dominant HEREDITARY CANCER SYNDROME in which a mutation most often in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 is associated with a significantly increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers.
Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary
The condition of a pattern of malignancies within a family, but not every individual's necessarily having the same neoplasm. Characteristically the tumor tends to occur at an earlier than average age, individuals may have more than one primary tumor, the tumors may be multicentric, usually more than 25 percent of the individuals in direct lineal descent from the proband are affected, and the cancer predisposition in these families behaves as an autosomal dominant trait with about 60 percent penetrance.
