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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code C40
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C40

Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs

ICD-10-CM Code:
C40
ICD-10 Code for:
Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage
      (C40-C41)
      • Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs
        (C40)

C40 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs

Non-specific codes like C40 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs:

  • C40.0 for Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of upper limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.00 for Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of unspecified upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.01 for Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of right upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.02 for Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of left upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • C40.1 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of upper limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.10 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of unspecified upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.11 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of right upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.12 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of left upper limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • C40.2 for Malignant neoplasm of long bones of lower limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.20 for Malignant neoplasm of long bones of unspecified lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.21 for Malignant neoplasm of long bones of right lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.22 for Malignant neoplasm of long bones of left lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • C40.3 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of lower limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.30 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of unspecified lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.31 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of right lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.32 for Malignant neoplasm of short bones of left lower limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • C40.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.80 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of unspecified limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.81 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of right limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.82 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of left limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • C40.9 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of limb - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.90 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of unspecified limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.91 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of right limb - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C40.92 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of left limb - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify major osseous defect, if applicable M89.7

Patient Education


Bone Cancer

Cancer that starts in a bone is uncommon. Cancer that has spread to the bone from another part of the body is more common.

There are three types of bone cancer:

  • Osteosarcoma - occurs most often between ages 10 and 19. It is more common in the knee and upper arm.
  • Chondrosarcoma - starts in cartilage, usually after age 40
  • Ewing's sarcoma - occurs most often in children and teens under 19. It is more common in boys than girls.

The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain. Other symptoms vary, depending on the location and size of the cancer. Surgery is often the main treatment for bone cancer. Other treatments may include amputation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Because bone cancer can come back after treatment, regular follow-up visits are important.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Primary Bone Cancer

Learn about the types of bone tumors and the methods used to diagnose and treat cancers that form from bone tissue.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.