D03.21
BillableMelanoma in situ of right 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
Abnormal melanoma cells on the right ear or in the right ear canal that have not yet invaded deeper tissue.
Coding Tips
- •This code specifies the right ear - ensure documentation clearly indicates right-sided involvement
- •Includes both the auricle (external ear) and the external auditory canal
Clinical Significance
Melanoma in situ of the right ear and external auricular canal is a non-invasive melanocytic neoplasm confined to the epidermis of the right ear. The ear's convex surface with chronic ultraviolet exposure makes it a common site for cutaneous melanoma development. Complete excision with margin assessment is the standard treatment, with particular attention to the complex contours of the auricular cartilage.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Biopsy confirmation with pathology documenting epidermal confinement and right-sided laterality.
- ✓Specify the exact location on the ear (helix, antihelix, lobule, concha, external canal) and document surgical margins, any reconstructive approach, and surveillance plan.
Commonly Confused Codes
Code Hierarchy
└D03Melanoma in situ└D03.2Melanoma in situ of ear and external auricular canal└D03.21Melanoma in situ of right ear and external auricular canal
└D03.21Melanoma in situ of right ear and external auricular canal