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Chapter 2: Neoplasms (C00–D49)

Cancers and benign growths: malignant neoplasms by body site, cancers that have spread (secondary malignancies), blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma, and benign tumours such as colon polyps and lipomas.

Chapter 2 spans codes C00–D49 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. This guide explains 31 of its most common codes — select a code for its official description, a plain-English explanation and a note on when the code is used.

ICD-10 Chapter 2: Neoplasms — illustrative image

Codes in this chapter

CodeOfficial descriptionIn plain words
C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecifiedCancer that starts in the stomach lining.
C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecifiedCancer that starts in the colon (large bowel).
C20Malignant neoplasm of rectumCancer that starts in the rectum, the last section of the large bowel.
C22.0Liver cell carcinomaHepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer, arising from liver cells.
C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecifiedCancer that starts in the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach that makes digestive juices and insulin.
C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lungCancer that starts in the lung tissue or airways.
C43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecifiedMelanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells of the skin.
C44.91Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecifiedBasal cell carcinoma is a very common, slow-growing skin cancer that rarely spreads to other organs.
C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breastCancer that starts in the right breast of a woman.
C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breastCancer that starts in the left breast of a woman.
C50.919Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of unspecified female breastCancer that starts in the breast tissue of a woman.
C53.9Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri, unspecifiedCancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus opening into the vagina, usually linked to HPV infection.
C54.1Malignant neoplasm of endometriumCancer of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus; the most common gynaecological cancer.
C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovaryCancer that starts in an ovary, the female reproductive glands that produce eggs and hormones.
C61Malignant neoplasm of prostateCancer that starts in the prostate, a small gland below the bladder in men that contributes to semen.
C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvisCancer that starts in a kidney, most often renal cell carcinoma arising from the kidney's filtering tissue.
C67.9Malignant neoplasm of bladder, unspecifiedCancer that starts in the lining of the bladder, the organ that stores urine.
C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecifiedA tumour arising within the brain tissue itself.
C73Malignant neoplasm of thyroid glandCancer that starts in the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck.
C78.7Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ductCancer that has spread to the liver from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of boneCancer that has spread to bone from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body.
C81.90Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified siteHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system characterised by Reed-Sternberg cells.
C85.90Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified siteNon-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of cancers of the lymphatic system arising from lymphocytes.
C90.00Multiple myeloma not having achieved remissionMultiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, affecting blood, bones and kidneys.
C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remissionChronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a slow-growing cancer of white blood cells, most common in older adults.
D12.6Benign neoplasm of colon, unspecifiedA benign (non-cancerous) growth of the colon lining, such as an adenomatous polyp found at colonoscopy.
D17.9Benign lipomatous neoplasm, unspecifiedA lipoma is a benign, soft fatty lump that grows slowly under the skin.
D22.9Melanocytic nevi, unspecifiedMelanocytic naevi are ordinary moles: benign clusters of pigment cells in the skin.
D35.2Benign neoplasm of pituitary glandA benign tumour of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, which may release excess hormones or press on nearby structures.
D47.2Monoclonal gammopathyMonoclonal gammopathy is the presence of an abnormal single-type antibody protein in the blood, often found by chance (MGUS).
D48.5Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skinA skin growth whose behaviour cannot be classified as clearly benign or malignant without further assessment.

This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.

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