C32.0
BillableMalignant neoplasm of glottis
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 21 — Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.545V24HCC 11 — Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers
0.306ESRDHCC 11 — Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers
0.000What This Code Means
Cancer of the glottis, which is the part of the larynx (voice box) that contains the vocal cords.
Coding Tips
- •The glottis is the most common site of laryngeal cancer and includes the true vocal cords
- •Ensure documentation specifies glottis involvement rather than other laryngeal subsites
Clinical Significance
Glottic cancer (true vocal cord cancer) is the most common subsite of laryngeal malignancy, accounting for approximately 60% of cases. It typically presents earlier than other laryngeal cancers because voice changes (hoarseness) prompt medical evaluation. Early-stage glottic cancers have excellent cure rates, but advanced disease may require total laryngectomy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Direct laryngoscopy or imaging confirming glottic origin (true vocal cords)
- ✓Pathology confirmation with histological type (squamous cell carcinoma in >95% of cases)
- ✓Assessment of vocal cord mobility (mobile vs. fixed) which affects staging
- ✓TNM staging including assessment of anterior commissure involvement
- ✓Treatment plan (voice preservation vs. laryngectomy)
Commonly Confused Codes
C32.1 — Supraglottic cancer: Supraglottis is above the vocal cords; ensure the tumor originates at the glottic levelC32.2 — Subglottic cancer: Below the vocal cords; less common and has different treatment approachC32.8 — Overlapping laryngeal sites: Use when tumor clearly crosses glottic-supraglottic or glottic-subglottic boundariesD14.1 — Benign neoplasm of larynx: Vocal cord papillomas and polyps are benign — confirm malignancy
Code Hierarchy
└C32Malignant neoplasm of larynx└C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottis
└C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottis