C01 (Malignant neoplasm of base of tongue) compared with D10.1 (Benign neoplasm of tongue), from the official CMS tabular data. C01 and D10.1 name the same anatomical site (tongue) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — benign neoplasm (tongue)
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
Same site, different neoplasm behavior. C01 and D10.1 name the same anatomical site (tongue) 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.
| C01Malignant neoplasm of base of tongue | D10.1Benign neoplasm of tongue | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms | C00-D49 — Neoplasms |
| Definition | Malignant neoplasm of base of tongue is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C01). | Benign neoplasm of tongue is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D10.1). |
| Includes | Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of base of tongue Malignant neoplasm of fixed part of tongue NOS Malignant neoplasm of posterior third of tongue | Benign neoplasm of lingual tonsil |
| 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