C69.51
BillableMalignant neoplasm of right lacrimal gland and duct
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
Cancer that starts in the lacrimal gland (tear gland) or its duct on the right side of the eye. This is a malignant tumor that can affect tear production and eye function.
Coding Tips
- •Verify laterality is documented as right (not left or bilateral) before assigning this code; if bilateral, use separate codes for each side
- •Ensure the diagnosis specifies the lacrimal gland/duct location; if the primary site is unclear or involves other eye structures, review documentation for correct anatomical specificity
Clinical Significance
Right lacrimal gland and duct malignancy requires laterality-specific coding for surgical planning, as treatment often involves lateral orbitotomy with en bloc excision. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is particularly aggressive with a propensity for perineural invasion along cranial nerves, which can lead to intracranial extension.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming malignancy with histological type
- ✓Documentation confirming right eye/orbit involvement
- ✓Orbital imaging (CT/MRI) documenting tumor extent and any bony erosion
- ✓Assessment for perineural invasion along cranial nerves
- ✓Distinction between lacrimal gland and lacrimal duct involvement
Commonly Confused Codes
C69.52 — Left lacrimal gland and duct: verify laterality from clinical documentationC69.61 — Right orbit: use the more specific lacrimal gland code rather than the general orbital codeC69.50 — Unspecified lacrimal gland: use C69.51 when right side is documentedH04.111 — Dacryops of right lacrimal gland: benign cyst, not malignancy
Code Hierarchy
└C69Malignant neoplasm of eye and adnexa└C69.5Malignant neoplasm of lacrimal gland and duct└C69.51Malignant neoplasm of right lacrimal gland and duct
└C69.51Malignant neoplasm of right lacrimal gland and duct