C16.5
BillableMalignant neoplasm of lesser curvature of stomach, unspecified
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 20 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.000V24HCC 9 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.973ESRDHCC 9 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
0.000RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites
0.000What This Code Means
This code represents cancer that has developed on the lesser curvature, which is the inner curved edge of the stomach. It is used when the specific type of stomach cancer cells has not been further specified.
Coding Tips
- •Verify documentation specifies the lesser curvature location; if the exact location is not documented, use C16.9 (stomach, unspecified site) instead
- •If histological type is documented (e.g., adenocarcinoma, squamous cell), use the appropriate C16.5 subcode with the 5th character for histology rather than 'unspecified'
Clinical Significance
Cancer of the lesser curvature of the stomach is notable because this medial surface is a common site for gastric ulcers and subsequent malignant transformation. The lesser curvature is anatomically significant due to its rich lymphatic drainage, which can facilitate early metastatic spread. Coding by curvature rather than longitudinal segment reflects a different anatomical classification system used in some clinical documentation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation specifying lesser curvature location
- ✓Whether the lesion is further specified by longitudinal segment (cardia, body, antrum)
- ✓Histological type confirmed by biopsy
- ✓Stage of disease
- ✓Any history of gastric ulcer disease at this location
Commonly Confused Codes
C16.6 — Greater curvature: the greater curvature is the outer (lateral) curve; the lesser curvature is the inner (medial) curveC16.2 — Body of stomach: if documentation specifies both body and lesser curvature, the more specific longitudinal segment may be preferredC16.9 — Stomach, unspecified: use C16.5 when lesser curvature is documented even if longitudinal segment is not
Code Hierarchy
└C16Malignant neoplasm of stomach└C16.5Malignant neoplasm of lesser curvature of stomach, unspecified
└C16.5Malignant neoplasm of lesser curvature of stomach, unspecified