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C00.5 vs C79.89

C00.5 (Malignant neoplasm of lip, unspecified, inner aspect) compared with C79.89 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites), from the official CMS tabular data. C00.5 and C79.89 name the same anatomical site (lip) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

C00.5
Malignant neoplasm of lip, unspecified, inner aspect
C79.89
Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — secondary malignancy (lip)

The behavior documented for the site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column of the neoplasm table, and therefore which code, applies.

Source: CMS Table of Neoplasms

Can these codes be reported together?

Same site, different neoplasm behavior. C00.5 and C79.89 name the same anatomical site (lip) with a different neoplasm behavior.

From the CMS/CDC Table of Neoplasms: the behavior documented for that site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column, and therefore which code, applies.

Side by side

C00.5Malignant neoplasm of lip, unspecified, inner aspectC79.89Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationC00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of lip, unspecified, inner aspect is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C00.5).Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C79.89).
Includes
Malignant neoplasm of buccal aspect of lip, unspecified
Malignant neoplasm of frenulum of lip, unspecified
Malignant neoplasm of mucosa of lip, unspecified
Malignant neoplasm of oral aspect of lip, unspecified
Use additional code
code to identify:
alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources