D03.20

Billable

Melanoma in situ of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 23 — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

0.251

V24HCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.150

ESRDHCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.000

RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites

0.000

What This Code Means

Abnormal melanoma cells on the ear or in the ear canal that have not yet invaded deeper tissue, affecting an unspecified ear.

Coding Tips

•Use D03.21 or D03.22 if the specific ear (right or left) is documented; only use D03.20 when laterality is unspecified
•This includes both the external ear and the external auditory canal

Clinical Significance

Melanoma in situ of the ear and external auricular canal represents early-stage melanocytic malignancy confined to the epidermis of the external ear structures, without dermal invasion. The ear is a chronically sun-exposed site with high melanoma incidence, and the complex anatomy of the auricle can make complete excision technically challenging. Early detection at the in situ stage provides excellent prognosis.

Documentation Requirements

✓Biopsy-confirmed melanoma in situ with documented epidermal confinement is required. When laterality (right vs. left) is known, use the more specific codes D03.21 or D03.
✓Document the exact location on the ear (helix, antihelix, tragus, lobule, or canal) and margin status after excision.

Commonly Confused Codes

D03.21 (right ear) and D03.22 (left ear) should be used when laterality is documented C43.20-C43.22 (malignant melanoma of ear) indicate invasive disease D22.2 (melanocytic nevi of ear) represents benign melanocytic lesions.

Code Hierarchy

└D03Melanoma in situ └D03.2Melanoma in situ of ear and external auricular canal └D03.20Melanoma in situ of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

└D03.20Melanoma in situ of unspecified ear and external auricular canal