ICD-10 Code C02.8 – Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tongue (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C02.8 – Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tongue
What it is
C02.8 identifies a malignant tumor of the tongue that spans two or more overlapping sites, so it cannot be assigned to a single subsite. Use it when the documentation clearly states an overlapping tongue location.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings in tongue cancer include a persistent oral lesion, pain, ulceration, bleeding, dysphagia, or speech difficulty, but the coded diagnosis should match the recorded site.
When to use this code
Use C02.8 when the provider documents a primary malignant neoplasm involving overlapping areas of the tongue, such as lesions crossing anterior and lateral borders. It is appropriate when the record does not support a more specific tongue subsite. Check documentation if the site is described only broadly as “tongue cancer.”
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign tongue lesions, dysplasia, or cancers limited to a single, clearly identified tongue subsite. If the record identifies another oral cavity site or a metastatic lesion, choose the documented diagnosis instead.
Coding tip
Verify the exact anatomic wording in the pathology or provider note before assigning C02.8.