C43.22
BillableMalignant melanoma of left ear and external auricular canal
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 23 — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers
0.251V24HCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.150ESRDHCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors
0.000RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites
0.000What This Code Means
A type of skin cancer (melanoma) that starts on the left ear or in the left ear canal.
Coding Tips
- •Verify left ear laterality is clearly stated in the medical record
- •Distinguish from right ear melanoma (C43.21) based on documented location
Clinical Significance
Malignant melanoma of the left ear and external auricular canal. Like right ear melanomas, left ear melanomas carry a higher metastatic risk than melanomas at many other skin sites. Sun protection of the ears is often neglected, contributing to higher incidence. Accurate laterality coding supports clinical tracking and risk adjustment.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Left ear laterality explicitly documented
- ✓Specific anatomic subsite on the ear
- ✓Breslow depth and Clark level
- ✓Ulceration status and mitotic rate
- ✓Sentinel lymph node biopsy results
- ✓AJCC staging and treatment plan