ICD-10 Code C14 – Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C14 – Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx
What it is
C14 identifies a malignant tumor in the lip, oral cavity, or pharynx when the exact site is not well defined or does not fit a more specific code. Use it for documented cancers in these areas when the record is nonspecific.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings may include a visible or palpable mass, ulceration, pain, dysphagia, or other local symptoms, but you should code only what the provider documents.
When to use this code
Use C14 when the diagnosis states a malignant neoplasm involving an ill-defined site in the lip, oral cavity, or pharynx and no more specific anatomic code is available. It may also fit pathology or imaging reports that confirm malignancy without precise localization. Check documentation if the primary site is later clarified.
Do not use for
Do not use C14 if the cancer is documented at a specific site that has its own ICD-10 code, such as a clearly identified tongue or tonsil lesion. Do not use it for benign, in situ, or uncertain neoplasms.
Coding tip
Query the provider when the site is vague, because a more specific cancer code should be reported whenever documentation supports it.