C32.1
BillableMalignant neoplasm of supraglottis
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 supraglottis, which is the upper portion of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords.
Coding Tips
- •Supraglottic cancers include tumors of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and false vocal cords
- •These cancers often present at a more advanced stage due to the rich lymphatic drainage in this area
Clinical Significance
Supraglottic cancer arises above the vocal cords in structures including the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and false vocal cords. These tumors present later than glottic cancers because they do not cause early voice changes, and they have a higher rate of cervical lymph node metastasis due to rich lymphatic drainage. Treatment is more aggressive, often requiring combined modality therapy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Laryngoscopy confirming supraglottic primary site
- ✓Pathology with histological type
- ✓Assessment of pre-epiglottic space invasion
- ✓Cervical lymph node status (clinical and imaging)
- ✓TNM staging and treatment plan including neck dissection consideration
Excludes 2 — Not included here, may code separately
- malignant neoplasm of anterior surface of epiglottis (C10.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, hypopharyngeal aspect (C13.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, marginal zone (C13.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold NOS (C13.1)
Commonly Confused Codes
C32.0 — Glottic cancer: The glottis is at the level of the true vocal cords; supraglottis is aboveC10.1 — Malignant neoplasm of anterior surface of epiglottis: The lingual (anterior) surface of the epiglottis is classified as oropharynx, not larynxC32.8 — Overlapping laryngeal sites: Use when the tumor extends across the ventricle into the glottisC13.9 — Malignant neoplasm of hypopharynx: Piriform sinus cancers are hypopharyngeal, not supraglottic
Code Hierarchy
└C32Malignant neoplasm of larynx└C32.1Malignant neoplasm of supraglottis
└C32.1Malignant neoplasm of supraglottis