ICD-10-CM Code C15.4

Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus

Version 2020 Billable Code Neoplasm Malignant Primary

Valid for Submission

C15.4 is a billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus. The code is valid for the year 2020 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. The ICD-10-CM code C15.4 might also be used to specify conditions or terms like carcinoma of middle third of esophagus, carcinoma of thoracic part of esophagus, malignant tumor of middle third of esophagus, malignant tumor of thoracic part of esophagus, neoplasm of middle third of esophagus, neoplasm of thoracic esophagus, etc

The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms apply to this code given the correct histological behavior: esophagus middle (third) or esophagus thoracic .

ICD-10:	C15.4
Short Description:	Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Long Description:	Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus

Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

Carcinoma of middle third of esophagus
Carcinoma of thoracic part of esophagus
Malignant tumor of middle third of esophagus
Malignant tumor of thoracic part of esophagus
Neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Neoplasm of thoracic esophagus
pM1a: Distant metastasis
pM1a: Distant metastasis
pM1a: Distant metastasis
pM1a: Distant metastasis not applicable
pM1a: Metastasis in celiac lymph nodes
pM1a: Metastasis in cervical nodes
pM1b: Distant metastasis
pM1b: Distant metastasis
pM1b: Distant metastasis
pM1b: Distant metastasis to site other than celiac lymph nodes
pM1b: Distant metastasis to site other than cervical nodes
pM1b: Nonregional lymph nodes AND/OR other distant metastasis
Primary adenocarcinoma of middle third of esophagus
Primary malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Primary malignant neoplasm of thoracic esophagus
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of middle third of esophagus

Diagnostic Related Groups

The ICD-10 code C15.4 is grouped in the following groups for version MS-DRG V37.0 What are Diagnostic Related Groups?
The Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a patient classification scheme which provides a means of relating the type of patients a hospital treats. The DRGs divides all possible principal diagnoses into mutually exclusive principal diagnosis areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). applicable from 10/01/2020 through 09/30/2020.

374 - DIGESTIVE MALIGNANCY WITH MCC
375 - DIGESTIVE MALIGNANCY WITH CC
376 - DIGESTIVE MALIGNANCY WITHOUT CC/MCC

Convert C15.4 to ICD-9

150.1 - Mal neo thoracic esophag (Approximate Flag)
150.4 - Mal neo middle 3rd esoph (Approximate Flag)

Code Classification

Neoplasms (C00–D48)
- Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)
  - Malignant neoplasm of esophagus (C15)

Code History

FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016
(First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)
FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020

Table of Neoplasms

The code C15.4 is included in the table of neoplasms by anatomical site. For each site there are six possible code numbers according to whether the neoplasm in question is malignant, benign, in situ, of uncertain behavior, or of unspecified nature. The description of the neoplasm will often indicate which of the six columns is appropriate.

Where such descriptors are not present, the remainder of the Index should be consulted where guidance is given to the appropriate column for each morphological (histological) variety listed. However, the guidance in the Index can be overridden if one of the descriptors mentioned above is present.

Neoplasm, neoplastic	Malignant Primary	Malignant Secondary	CaInSitu	Benign	Uncertain Behavior	Unspecified Behavior
»esophagus »middle (third)	C15.4	C78.89	D00.1	D13.0	D37.8	D49.0
»esophagus »thoracic	C15.4	C78.89	D00.1	D13.0	D37.8	D49.0

Information for Patients

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

Painful or difficult swallowing
Weight loss
A hoarse voice or cough that doesn't go away

You're at greater risk for getting esophageal cancer if you smoke, drink heavily, or have acid reflux. Your risk also goes up as you age

Your doctor uses imaging tests and a biopsy to diagnose esophageal cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. You might also need nutritional support, since the cancer or treatment may make it hard to swallow.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

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