Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified
In Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58), chapter 2: Neoplasms
- C55 is an unspecified code: use it only when the record doesn't document anything more specific. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under C51-C58 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is not a CC or MCC, so it doesn't raise the MS-DRG payment.
- Counts toward HCC 23 (Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors) in the Medicare Advantage risk model (CMS-HCC V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as chronic: expected to last 12 months or longer and to limit daily life or need ongoing care.
- 4,832 US deaths in 2024 had an underlying cause in category C55, per the National Vital Statistics System on CDC WONDER. Death records use WHO ICD-10, so the count is for the whole category.
Advertisements
Instructional notes
Also applies, from Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58)
These notes sit on C51-C58 and apply to every code under it, including C55.
Includes: conditions that are coded here
- malignant neoplasm of skin of female genital organs
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Rules for coding benign and malignant neoplasms: using the Neoplasm Table, sequencing primary and secondary sites, treatment encounters, complications, and current cancer versus personal history.
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of primary site (page 33)
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of secondary site (page 33)
- Coding and sequencing of complications (page 34)
- Primary malignancy previously excised (page 34)
- Admissions/Encounters involving antineoplastic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy (page 35)
- Admission/encounter to determine extent of malignancy (page 36)
- Symptoms, signs, and abnormal findings listed in Chapter 18 associated with neoplasms (page 36)
- Admission/encounter for pain control/management (page 36)
Other codes under C51-C58
Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58)
- C51Malignant neoplasm of vulva
- C52Malignant neoplasm of vagina
- C53Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri
- C54Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri
- C55Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified(this code)
- C56Malignant neoplasm of ovary
- C57Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified female genital organs
- C58Malignant neoplasm of placenta
C55 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, C55 groups to MS-DRG 731, 732, 733, 754, 755, or 756 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 731 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy with MCC
- DRG 732 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy with CC
- DRG 733 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy without CC/MCC
- DRG 754 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System with MCC
- DRG 755 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System with CC
- DRG 756 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System without CC/MCC
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
C55 is in Female reproductive system cancers - uterus (NEO031, its default category), with 6 codes. Others in it:
Medicare coverage articles listing C55
These 28 Medicare billing and coding articles list C55 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
- MolDX: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Thrombophilia (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Lab-Developed Tests for Inherited Cancer Syndromes in Patients with Cancer (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Solid Tumor Cancers (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Non-Next Generation Sequencing Targeted Molecular Panel Tests for Targeted Therapy in Cancer (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Plasma-Based Genomic Profiling in Solid Tumors (3 contractors)
- MolDX: bioTheranostics Cancer TYPE ID® Update (3 contractors)
- Lab: Flow Cytometry (2 contractors)
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks (2 contractors)
- Proton Beam Therapy
And 18 more.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the uterus, which is sometimes called the womb. The uterus is the place where a fetus grows during pregnancy.
Read more about uterine cancer on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 179 Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified