ICD-10 Code C10.0 – Malignant neoplasm of vallecula (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C10.0 – Malignant neoplasm of vallecula
What it is
C10.0 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the vallecula, the space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis. Use it when documentation specifies a primary cancer in this anatomic site.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly reported findings may include throat pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, or a visible mass in the oropharynx, but you should code only what is documented.
When to use this code
Use C10.0 when the provider documents a primary malignant neoplasm of the vallecula, including biopsy-confirmed or clinically diagnosed cases. It is appropriate for initial encounters, follow-up care, and staging documentation when the vallecula is the stated primary site.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign vallecular lesions, inflammatory conditions, or cancers documented only as metastatic to the vallecula. If the site is unclear or another oropharyngeal location is specified, check documentation.
Coding tip
Verify that the vallecula is named as the primary site before assigning C10.0.