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C08.9 vs C79.89

C08.9 (Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified) compared with C79.89 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites), from the official CMS tabular data. C08.9 and C79.89 name the same anatomical site (salivary gland or duct) with a different neoplasm behavior.

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

C08.9
Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified
↔
C79.89
Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — secondary malignancy (salivary gland or duct)

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. C08.9 and C79.89 name the same anatomical site (salivary gland or duct) with a different neoplasm behavior.

From the CMS 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

C08.9Malignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecifiedC79.89Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationC00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of major salivary gland, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C08.9).Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C79.89).
Includes
malignant neoplasm of salivary ducts
Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland (major) NOS
—
Use additional code
code to identify:
alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
—
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Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources