2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C15Malignant neoplasm of esophagus

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C15

ICD-10-CM C15
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of esophagus, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C15.3, C15.4, C15.5, and C15.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C15
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C15-C26
Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC15-C26Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs
CategoryC15Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
This CodeC15Malignant neoplasm of esophagus

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of esophagusOverview

Non-specific codes like C15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C15.3 for Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus

  • Use C15.4 for Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus

  • Use C15.5 for Malignant neoplasm of lower third of esophagus

  • Use C15.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of esophagus

  • Use C15.9 for Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C15: its own notes plus those printed at block C15-C26 and Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block C15-C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs applies to 60 codes
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites (C46.4)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block C15-C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs applies to 60 codes
  • gastrointestinal stromal tumors (C49.A-)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name C15, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention C15.

  • Z80.0 Family history of malignant neoplasm of digestive organs
    Conditions classifiable to C15-C26
  • Z85.01 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of esophagus
    Conditions classifiable to C15

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming C15: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • K22.7 Barrett's esophagus
    malignant neoplasm of esophagus (C15.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malignant Esophageal Neoplasm

    a primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the esophagus.

Patient EducationClinical

Esophageal Cancer

The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. Later, you may have symptoms such as:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About C15Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of esophagus?

C15 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of esophagus, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C15 (Malignant neoplasm of esophagus) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of esophagus, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of esophagus need a more specific code from this category, such as C15.3, C15.4, and C15.5.

Can C15 be reported with C46.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block C15-C26, which applies to C15, lists "Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites (C46.4)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Does C15 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-). The additional code is reported after C15.