Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue (D21)

The ICD-10 code D21 covers benign tumors that develop in connective and other soft tissues throughout the body. These codes specify the location, such as the head, limbs, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, trunk, or unspecified sites, helping to identify and classify non-cancerous soft tissue growths for medical documentation and treatment planning.

This section includes codes like D21.0 for benign soft tissue tumors of the head, face, and neck, which correspond to common terms such as fibroma of the scalp, nuchal fibroma, and benign tumors of muscles or blood vessels in these areas. Codes D21.1 through D21.22 identify benign neoplasms in upper and lower limbs and their specific sides, including the shoulder and hip regions. D21.3 and D21.4 cover benign growths in the thorax and abdomen respectively, while D21.5 relates to the pelvis soft tissues. D21.6 denotes unspecified benign soft tissue tumors of the trunk region. The broad code D21.9 captures benign connective tissue tumors when their exact location is not specified, including various known forms like leiomyomas, fibromas, and other rare benign soft tissue tumors. These details assist coders and healthcare providers in precisely linking a patient’s diagnosis; for example, a lump in the neck or a benign tumor in the shoulder; to the correct ICD-10 code for accurate health records and billing purposes.

  • Neoplasms (C00–D49)

    • Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors (D10-D36)

        • Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue (D21)

        • D21 Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue
        • D21.0 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of head, face and neck
        • D21.1 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of upper limb, including shoulder
        • D21.10 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder
        • D21.11 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of right upper limb, including shoulder
        • D21.12 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of left upper limb, including shoulder
        • D21.2 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of lower limb, including hip
        • D21.20 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of unspecified lower limb, including hip
        • D21.21 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of right lower limb, including hip
        • D21.22 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of left lower limb, including hip
        • D21.3 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of thorax
        • D21.4 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of abdomen
        • D21.5 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of pelvis
        • D21.6 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of trunk, unspecified
        • D21.9 Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue, unspecified

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • benign neoplasm of blood vessel
  • benign neoplasm of bursa
  • benign neoplasm of cartilage
  • benign neoplasm of fascia
  • benign neoplasm of fat
  • benign neoplasm of ligament, except uterine
  • benign neoplasm of lymphatic channel
  • benign neoplasm of muscle
  • benign neoplasm of synovia
  • benign neoplasm of tendon (sheath)
  • benign stromal tumors

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.

  • benign neoplasm of articular cartilage D16
  • benign neoplasm of cartilage of larynx D14.1
  • benign neoplasm of cartilage of nose D14.0
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of breast D24
  • benign neoplasm of peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system D36.1
  • benign neoplasm of peritoneum D20.1
  • benign neoplasm of retroperitoneum D20.0
  • benign neoplasm of uterine ligament, any D28.2
  • benign neoplasm of vascular tissue D18
  • hemangioma D18.0
  • lipomatous neoplasm D17
  • lymphangioma D18.1
  • uterine leiomyoma D25

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.

Angiofibroma

A benign neoplasm of fibrous tissue in which there are numerous small and large, frequently dilated, vascular channels. (Stedman, 25th ed)

Angiomyoma

A benign tumor consisting of vascular and smooth muscle elements.

Aponeurosis

The flattened and/or expanded “tendon-like” dense fibrous connective tissue that connects skeletal muscles to each other or to bone.

Carney Complex

Autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by cardiac and cutaneous MYXOMAS; LENTIGINOSIS (spotty pigmentation of the skin), and endocrinopathy and its associated endocrine tumors. The cardiac myxomas may lead to SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH and other complications in Carney complex patients. The gene coding for the PRKAR1A protein is one of the causative genetic loci (type 1). A second locus is at chromosome 2p16 (type 2).

Cementoma

An odontogenic fibroma in which cells have developed into cementoblasts and which consists largely of cementum.

Contraceptive Devices, Female

Contraceptive devices used by females.

Desmoid Tumors

Locally aggressive tumors that form in the connective tissues of body with no known potential for metastasis. However, they are characterized by an infiltrative growth pattern, allowing invasion into nearby tissues and organs, particularly evident in patients with FAMILIAL ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS.

Diaphragm

The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION.

Diaphragmatic Eventration

A congenital abnormality characterized by the elevation of the DIAPHRAGM dome. It is the result of a thinned diaphragmatic muscle and injured PHRENIC NERVE, allowing the intra-abdominal viscera to push the diaphragm upward against the LUNG.

Dupuytren Contracture

A fibromatosis of the palmar fascia characterized by thickening and contracture of the fibrous bands on the palmar surfaces of the hand and fingers. It arises most commonly in men between the ages of 30 and 50.

Fibroma

A benign tumor of fibrous or fully developed connective tissue.

Fibroma Virus, Rabbit

A species of LEPORIPOXVIRUS causing subcutaneous localized swellings in rabbits, usually on the feet.

Fibroma, Desmoplastic

An extremely rare bone tumor characterized by abundant collagen formation and a fibrous stroma, without evidence of mitosis or pleomorphism. It appears on x-rays as an osteolytic lesion with well-defined margins and must be differentiated from primary fibrosarcoma of bone. (DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1441)

Fibroma, Ossifying

A benign central bone tumor, usually of the jaws (especially the mandible), composed of fibrous connective tissue within which bone is formed.

Fibromatosis, Abdominal

A relatively large mass of unusually firm scarlike connective tissue resulting from active participation of fibroblasts, occurring most frequently in the abdominal muscles of women who have borne children. The fibroblasts infiltrate surrounding muscle and fascia. (Stedman, 25th ed)

Fibromatosis, Gingival

Generalized or localized diffuse fibrous overgrowth of the gingival tissue, usually transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, but some cases are idiopathic and others produced by drugs. The enlarged gingiva is pink, firm, and has a leather-like consistency with a minutely pebbled surface and in severe cases the teeth are almost completely covered and the enlargement projects into the oral vestibule. (Dorland, 28th ed)

Fibromatosis, Plantar

A fibromatosis of the plantar fascia characterized by thickening of the fibrous bands on the plantar aponeurosis in the sole of the foot and toes.

Granular Cell Tumor

Unusual tumor affecting any site of the body, but most often encountered in the head and neck. Considerable debate has surrounded the histogenesis of this neoplasm; however, it is considered to be a myoblastoma of, usually, a benign nature. It affects women more often than men. When it develops beneath the epidermis or mucous membrane, it can lead to proliferation of the squamous cells and mimic squamous cell carcinoma.

Hernia, Diaphragmatic

Protrusion of abdominal structures into the THORAX as a result of congenital or traumatic defects in the respiratory DIAPHRAGM.

Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic

The type of DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA caused by TRAUMA or injury, usually to the ABDOMEN.

Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital

Protrusion of abdominal structures into the THORAX as a result of embryologic defects in the DIAPHRAGM often present in the neonatal period. It can be isolated, syndromic, non-syndromic or be a part of chromosome abnormality. Associated pulmonary hypoplasia and PULMONARY HYPERTENSION can further complicate stabilization and surgical intervention.

Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome

Autosomal recessive disorder characterized by HYALINE deposition in the skin, bone, gastrointestinal tract, muscles and glands; multiple subcutaneous skin nodules; GINGIVAL HYPERTROPHY; and joint CONTRACTURES. Mutations in the capillary morphogenesis protein-2 are associated with the disorder.

Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION in which the inferior wall of the heart is involved. It is often caused by occlusion of the right coronary artery.

Leiomyoma

A benign tumor derived from smooth muscle tissue, also known as a fibroid tumor. They rarely occur outside of the UTERUS and the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT but can occur in the SKIN and SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE, probably arising from the smooth muscle of small blood vessels in these tissues.

Leiomyoma, Epithelioid

A relatively rare smooth muscle tumor found most frequently in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach. It is similar to other smooth muscle tumors but may become very large and hemorrhage and exhibit small cystic areas. Simple excision is almost always curative. (From Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1354)

Leiomyomatosis

The state of having multiple leiomyomas throughout the body. (Stedman, 25th ed)

Leporipoxvirus

A genus of the family POXVIRIDAE, subfamily CHORDOPOXVIRINAE, consisting of ether-sensitive viruses of leporids and squirrels. They commonly cause tumors and are usually transmitted mechanically by arthropods. MYXOMA VIRUS is the type species.

Myofibroma

A benign tumor that consists chiefly of fibrous CONNECTIVE TISSUE, with variable numbers of MUSCLE CELLS forming portions of the neoplasm (From Stedman's, 27th ed).

Myofibromatosis

A condition characterized by multiple formations of myofibromas (LEIOMYOMA).

Myopericytoma

Rare myofibroma-like perivascular soft tissue tumor, usually benign, characterized by concentric perivascular proliferation.

Myxoma

A benign neoplasm derived from connective tissue, consisting chiefly of polyhedral and stellate cells that are loosely embedded in a soft mucoid matrix, thereby resembling primitive mesenchymal tissue. It occurs frequently intramuscularly where it may be mistaken for a sarcoma. It appears also in the jaws and the skin. (From Stedman, 25th ed)

Myxoma virus

The type species of LEPORIPOXVIRUS causing infectious myxomatosis, a severe generalized disease, in rabbits. Tumors are not always present.

Myxomatosis, Infectious

Diseases caused by MYXOMA VIRUS.

Neurothekeoma

A benign myxoma of cutaneous nerve sheath origin. Theke is from the Greek theke, sheath. (From Stedman, 25th ed)

Pelvic Floor

Soft tissue formed mainly by the pelvic diaphragm, which is composed of the two levator ani and two coccygeus muscles. The pelvic diaphragm lies just below the pelvic aperture (outlet) and separates the pelvic cavity from the PERINEUM. It extends between the PUBIC BONE anteriorly and the COCCYX posteriorly.

Penile Induration

A condition characterized by hardening of the PENIS due to the formation of fibrous plaques on the dorsolateral aspect of the PENIS, usually involving the membrane (tunica albuginea) surrounding the erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum penis). This may eventually cause a painful deformity of the shaft or constriction of the urethra, or both.

Peritoneal Stomata

Natural openings in the subdiaphragmatic lymphatic plexus in the PERITONEUM, delimited by adjacent mesothelial cells. Peritoneal stomata constitute the principal pathways for the drainage of intraperitoneal contents from the PERITONEAL CAVITY to the LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.

Respiratory Paralysis

Complete or severe weakness of the muscles of respiration. This condition may be associated with MOTOR NEURON DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION DISEASES; SPINAL CORD DISEASES; injury to the PHRENIC NERVE; and other disorders.

Rhabdomyoma

A benign tumor derived from striated muscle. It is extremely rare, generally occurring in the tongue, neck muscles, larynx, uvula, nasal cavity, axilla, vulva, and heart. These tumors are treated by simple excision. (Dorland, 27th ed; DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1354)

Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural

A rare neoplasm, usually benign, derived from mesenchymal fibroblasts located in the submesothelial lining of the PLEURA. It spite of its various synonyms, it has no features of mesothelial cells and is not related to malignant MESOTHELIOMA or asbestos exposure.

Tumor Virus Infections

Infections produced by oncogenic viruses. The infections caused by DNA viruses are less numerous but more diverse than those caused by the RNA oncogenic viruses.