2025 ICD-10-CM code C43.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Neoplasms - Malignant Melanoma of Skin Chapter II - Neoplasms Feed
Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified.
Medical necessity for treatment of malignant melanoma is established by the confirmed diagnosis.Further testing and treatment are based on staging and clinical guidelines.
Diagnosis of malignant melanoma is based on physical examination, including visual inspection of the skin lesion. Biopsy and histopathological examination are crucial for confirmation.Further investigations like blood tests (CBC, serum chemistry, LDH, AST, ALT) and imaging studies (CT, PET) may be conducted for staging and treatment planning.
- Chapter II - Neoplasms
- Malignant neoplasms (C00-C97)Malignant neoplasms, stated or presumed to be primary (of specified sites), and certain specified histologies, except neuroendocrine, and of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (C00-C75)Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx (C00-C14)Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (C30-C39)Malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage (C40-C41)Malignant neoplasms of connective and other soft tissues (C45-C49)Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (C43-C44)
In simple words: This code refers to skin cancer (melanoma) where the exact location on the skin isn't specified in the medical record.
Malignant melanoma of unspecified site of skin.This code is used when the provider documents malignant melanoma of the skin but does not specify the location.
Example 1: A patient presents with a changing mole on their back. The physician performs a biopsy, and the pathology report confirms malignant melanoma, but doesn't specify the precise location beyond "back." C43.9 is used due to the lack of specific site information., A patient has a history of malignant melanoma. They now present with enlarged lymph nodes. Biopsy reveals metastatic melanoma, but the original skin site is unknown. C43.9 is appropriate for the unspecified primary melanoma., During a routine skin check, a dermatologist identifies a suspicious lesion. The biopsy confirms malignant melanoma. The lesion is large and crosses anatomical boundaries, making precise localization difficult. C43.8 (Overlapping malignant melanoma of skin) is not applicable since a specific site is not noted; C43.9 is used instead because the site is considered unspecified.
Documentation should include the diagnosis of malignant melanoma, description of the lesion (size, color, borders, etc.), biopsy results, and any other relevant clinical findings. If the site is known, a more specific code from the C43 category should be used.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Dermatology, Oncology, Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital