Malignant neoplasm of palate (C05)

The ICD-10 code C05 and its subcategories are used to identify malignant tumors originating in different parts of the palate, including the hard palate, soft palate, and uvula. These codes are essential for accurately classifying cancer diagnoses of the mouth’s roof.

The main code C05 covers malignant neoplasm of the palate overall, while C05.0 specifies cancer in the hard palate, often called primary carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate. The code C05.1 refers to malignant tumors of the soft palate, linked to terms like primary carcinoma of soft palate or malignant tumor of the inferior surface of the soft palate. For cancers affecting the uvula, C05.2 is used, encompassing various synonyms such as carcinoma or malignant neoplasm of the uvula. Additionally, C05.8 indicates tumors overlapping multiple palate sites, and C05.9 covers unspecified malignant palate neoplasms, including those described as squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or melanoma of the palate. These ICD-10 codes assist medical professionals and coders in accurately documenting and differentiating palate cancers for treatment and reporting purposes.

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:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence F10
  • history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
  • 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.

  • Kaposi's sarcoma of palate C46.2

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.

Cleft Palate

Congenital fissure of the soft and/or hard palate, due to faulty fusion.

Palatal Obturators

Appliances that close a cleft or fissure of the palate.

Palate

The structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It consists of the anterior hard palate (PALATE, HARD) and the posterior soft palate (PALATE, SOFT).

Palate, Hard

The anteriorly located rigid section of the PALATE.

Palate, Soft

A movable fold suspended from the posterior border of the hard palate. The uvula hangs from the middle of the lower border.