2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C15

ICD-10-CM C15.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C15.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Gastrointestinal cancers - esophagus.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C15.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
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 CodeC15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Adenocarcinoma of esophagus
  • Carcinoma of esophagus
  • Leiomyosarcoma of esophagus
  • Local recurrence of malignant neoplasm of esophagus
  • Lymphoma of lower esophagus
  • Malignant lymphoma of esophagus
  • Malignant melanoma of esophagus
  • Malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of esophagus
  • Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
  • Malignant tumor of esophagus with NRG1 fusion
  • Metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
  • Perforated carcinoma of esophagus
  • Primary malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of esophagus
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of esophagus
  • Primary salivary gland type carcinoma of esophagus
  • Primary undifferentiated carcinoma of esophagus
  • Salivary gland type carcinoma of esophagus
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus
  • Undifferentiated carcinoma 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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Barrett Esophagus

    a condition with damage to the lining of the lower esophagus resulting from chronic acid reflux (esophagitis, reflux). through the process of metaplasia, the squamous cells are replaced by a columnar epithelium with cells resembling those of the intestine or the salmon-pink mucosa of the stomach. barrett's columnar epithelium is a marker for severe reflux and precursor to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

  • Esophageal Motility Disorders

    disorders affecting the motor function of the upper esophageal sphincter; lower esophageal sphincter; the esophagus body, or a combination of these parts. the failure of the sphincters to maintain a tonic pressure may result in gastric reflux of food and acid into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). other disorders include hypermotility (spastic disorders) and markedly increased amplitude in contraction (nutcracker esophagus).

  • Esophageal Mucosa

    circular innermost layer of the esophagus wall that mediates esophageal peristalsis which pushes ingested food bolus toward the stomach.

  • Esophageal Neoplasms

    tumors or cancer of the esophagus.

  • Esophagus

    the muscular membranous segment between the pharynx and the stomach in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

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

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
esophagusC15.9C78.89D00.1D13.0D37.8D49.0

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 C15.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
150.9 Mal neo esophagus NOS
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 C15.9Overview

Is C15.9 (Malignant neoplasm of esophagus) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does C15.9 group to?

When malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified 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 C15.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 150.9 (mal neo esophagus NOS). The mapping is a direct match.

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.