ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesC80.0

C80.0

Billable

Disseminated malignant neoplasm, unspecified

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 C80.0 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of disseminated malignant neoplasm, unspecified.

Key Diagnostic Point:

C80.0 refers to disseminated malignant neoplasm, which indicates the presence of cancer that has spread throughout the body without a known primary site. This code is often used when the cancer has metastasized to multiple organs or systems, and the origin of the malignancy cannot be determined. Patients with this diagnosis may present with various symptoms depending on the organs affected, including weight loss, fatigue, pain, and organ dysfunction. The staging of disseminated malignant neoplasm is typically classified as stage IV, indicating advanced disease. Treatment often focuses on palliative care, aiming to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life rather than cure the disease. This may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or supportive care measures. Accurate coding is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement, as well as for tracking cancer epidemiology and outcomes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Determining the unknown primary site can be challenging.
  • Requires comprehensive documentation of metastatic sites.
  • Differentiating from other malignancies with known primaries.
  • Staging considerations may vary based on clinical findings.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Insufficient documentation of metastatic sites.
  • Lack of clarity regarding the primary cancer site.
  • Inadequate justification for palliative care coding.
  • Failure to document staging appropriately.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Oncology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of cancer diagnosis, treatment history, and current symptoms.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with symptoms of advanced cancer without a known primary site.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all metastatic sites are documented and correlate with imaging studies.

Palliative Care

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive assessment of patient symptoms and quality of life considerations.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients requiring symptom management for advanced cancer.

Billing Considerations

Focus on patient-centered care and documentation of goals of care discussions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use C80.0 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, C80
  • 0 should be used when there is evidence of disseminated malignancy without a known primary site
  • Coders should ensure that documentation supports the diagnosis and that all relevant clinical information is included

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use C80.0 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99214CPT Code

Established patient office visit, level 4

Clinical Scenario

Used for follow-up visits for patients with disseminated malignancy.

Documentation Requirements

Document history, examination findings, and medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Oncology specialists should include treatment plans and symptom management strategies.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of cancer diagnoses, including the ability to capture disseminated malignancies more accurately, which aids in treatment planning and epidemiological tracking.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of cancer diagnoses, including the ability to capture disseminated malignancies more accurately, which aids in treatment planning and epidemiological tracking.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use C80.0?

C80.0 should be used when a patient has a malignant neoplasm that has spread throughout the body, and the primary site cannot be determined despite thorough investigation.