2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C15.4Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C15

ICD-10-CM C15.4
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C15.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 374 through 376. Coders also document this condition as carcinoma of middle third of esophagus. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Gastrointestinal cancers - esophagus.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C15.4
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
C15
Malignant neoplasm of esophagus

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC15-C26Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs
CategoryC15Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
This CodeC15.4Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Carcinoma of middle third of esophagus
  • Carcinoma of thoracic part of esophagus
  • Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
  • Malignant neoplasm of thoracic esophagus
  • Primary adenocarcinoma of middle third of esophagus
  • Primary carcinoma of middle third of esophagus
  • Primary carcinoma of thoracic part 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

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO012
Gastrointestinal cancers - esophagus
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
esophagus › middle (third)C15.4C78.89D00.1D13.0D37.8D49.0
esophagus › thoracicC15.4C78.89D00.1D13.0D37.8D49.0

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.

Convert C15.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
150.1 Mal neo thoracic esophag
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
150.4 Mal neo middle 3rd esoph
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About C15.4Overview

Is C15.4 (Malignant neoplasm of esophagus) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C15.4 group to?

When malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 374, 375, 376, with relative weights from 0.9243 to 2.1387 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C15.4?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus converts to ICD-9-CM 150.1 (mal neo thoracic esophag) and 150.4 (mal neo middle 3rd esoph). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.