What is ICD-10 code C53.0?

C53.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Malignant neoplasm of endocervix. Cancer that develops in the endocervix, the inner lining of the cervix that opens into the uterus. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49). C53.0 is a billable code, meaning it can be reported on a claim as a primary or secondary diagnosis when supported by documentation. C53.0 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Yes. C53.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. C53.0 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for C53.0?

CMS phased in the V28 risk adjustment model over payment years 2024 (33%), 2025 (67%), and 2026 (100%), replacing V24. V28 consolidates HCC categories, removes some lower-acuity conditions, and recalibrates RAF weights across the entire model. For C53.0, V28 maps to Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers at RAF 0.363 while V24 mapped to Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers at RAF 0.307. Both models can still appear in legacy data and in payer-specific lookback periods.

What should coders know when reporting C53.0?

Adenocarcinoma is the most common histology for endocervical tumors; document the specific type Ensure distinction from exocervical cancer as treatment approaches may differ Because C53.0 maps to a payment HCC, the documentation must also satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's risk adjustment score.

2026 ICD-10-CM C53.0: Malignant neoplasm

ICD-10-CM Code View

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Code lookupC53.0Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58)

C53.0

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Malignant neoplasm of endocervix

Cancer that develops in the endocervix, the inner lining of the cervix that opens into the uterus.

Buddy Insight

Malignant neoplasm of the endocervix involves the inner canal of the cervix that opens into the uterine cavity.

CMS-HCC V28

Mapped

HCC 22

Bladder, Colorectal, and Othe...

RAF 0.363

CMS-HCC V24

Mapped

HCC 11

Colorectal, Bladder, and Othe...

RAF 0.307

ACA/HHS

Mapped

HCC 12

HHS-HCC 12

Varies by metal level

ESRD/PACE

Mapped

HCC 11

Colorectal, Bladder, and Othe...

RAF 0.059

RXHCC

N/A

—

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official

C53Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri

C53.0Malignant neoplasm of endocervix

Inclusion Terms

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for C53.0 in this effective period.

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for C53.0 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official

C53.1Malignant neoplasm of exocervix

C53.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of cervix uteri

C53.9Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri, unspecified

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for C53.0 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

carcinoma in situ of cervix uteri (D06.-)

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for C53.0 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for C53.0 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for C53.0 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

Specific site confirmed as endocervix (inner cervical canal)

Histological type (adenocarcinoma most common at this site)

FIGO staging

Depth of stromal invasion

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance

Specific site confirmed as endocervix (inner cervical canal)

Histological type (adenocarcinoma most common at this site)

FIGO staging

Depth of stromal invasion

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance

Confusing endocervix (inner canal) with exocervix (outer portion visible on examination)

Coding endometrial cancer extending into the cervix as primary cervical cancer — determine the true primary site

Not capturing the histological distinction (adenocarcinoma vs. squamous) which is clinically important for treatment

Failing to distinguish between cervical stump carcinoma in post-hysterectomy patients and primary cervical cancer

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance

C53.1 — Malignant neoplasm of exocervix; outer cervical surface versus inner canal — different anatomical locations with different predominant histologies

C53.8 — Overlapping sites of cervix; use when tumor involves both endocervix and exocervix

C53.9 — Cervix uteri, unspecified; less specific when endocervical location is documented

C54.1 — Malignant neoplasm of endometrium; endocervical cancer can extend superiorly into the endometrial cavity — determine primary site

Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →

Is C53.0 an HCC code?

Yes. C53.0 (Malignant neoplasm of endocervix) maps to Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers under V24), with a community non-dual aged RAF of 0.363. It is billable for payment year 2026.

Coder answer: C53.0 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 22, Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.

Code: C53.0
Description: Malignant neoplasm of endocervix
HCC (V28): HCC 22 — Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers
RAF: 0.363
Billable: Yes
Payment year: 2026

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 22, Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers

0.363

V24HCC 11, Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers

0.307

ESRDHCC 11, Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers

0.059

Each model's RAF is its CMS base weight for that model's standard population, so weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.

Work C53.0 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT Criteria for C53.0

For C53.0 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically, it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.

MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis

Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed C53.0 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.

Coder workflow notes

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What This Code Means

C53.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of endocervix. Cancer that develops in the endocervix, the inner lining of the cervix that opens into the uterus. C53.0 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (c51-c58).

Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, C53.0 maps to Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers (HCC 22) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.363. Under the older CMS-HCC V24 model, C53.0 maps to Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers (HCC 11) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.307. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common histology for endocervical tumors; document the specific type. Because C53.0 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for C53.0 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•Adenocarcinoma is the most common histology for endocervical tumors; document the specific type
•Ensure distinction from exocervical cancer as treatment approaches may differ

Clinical Significance

Malignant neoplasm of the endocervix involves the inner canal of the cervix that opens into the uterine cavity. Endocervical cancers are predominantly adenocarcinomas, which have been increasing in incidence while squamous cell cervical cancers have declined due to screening. Endocervical adenocarcinoma may be more difficult to detect on Pap smear than exocervical squamous lesions.

Documentation Requirements

✓Specific site confirmed as endocervix (inner cervical canal)
✓Histological type (adenocarcinoma most common at this site)
✓FIGO staging
✓Depth of stromal invasion
✓Lymph node status (pelvic and para-aortic)
✓Human Papillomavirus status
✓Extension beyond the cervix documented if applicable

Commonly Confused Codes

•C53.1: Malignant neoplasm of exocervix; outer cervical surface versus inner canal: different anatomical locations with different predominant histologies
•C53.8: Overlapping sites of cervix; use when tumor involves both endocervix and exocervix
•C53.9: Cervix uteri, unspecified; less specific when endocervical location is documented
•C54.1: Malignant neoplasm of endometrium; endocervical cancer can extend superiorly into the endometrial cavity: determine primary site