2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C16Malignant neoplasm of stomach

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C16

ICD-10-CM C16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of stomach, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C16.0, C16.1, C16.2, and C16.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of stomach
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of stomach
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
CategoryC16Malignant neoplasm of stomach
This CodeC16Malignant neoplasm of stomach

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of stomachOverview

Non-specific codes like C16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C16.0 for Malignant neoplasm of cardia

  • Use C16.1 for Malignant neoplasm of fundus of stomach

  • Use C16.2 for Malignant neoplasm of body of stomach

  • Use C16.3 for Malignant neoplasm of pyloric antrum

  • Use C16.4 for Malignant neoplasm of pylorus

  • Use C16.5 for Malignant neoplasm of lesser curvature of stomach, unspecified

  • Use C16.6 for Malignant neoplasm of greater curvature of stomach, unspecified

  • Use C16.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of stomach

  • Use C16.9 for Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C16: 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.

On C16 itself
  • malignant carcinoid tumor of the stomach (C7A.092)
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 C16, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention C16.

  • Z85.028 Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of stomach
    Conditions classifiable to C16
  • Z80.0 Family history of malignant neoplasm of digestive organs
    Conditions classifiable to C15-C26 names C15-C26, which includes this code

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malignant Gastric Neoplasm

    a primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the stomach.

Patient EducationClinical

Stomach Cancer

The stomach is an organ between the esophagus and the small intestine. It mixes food with stomach acid and helps digest protein. Stomach cancer mostly affects older people - two-thirds of people who have it are over age 65. Your risk of getting it is also higher if you:

The full article covers:

  • What is Stomach Cancer?

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 C16Overview

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

C16 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of stomach, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C16 (Malignant neoplasm of stomach) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of stomach, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of stomach need a more specific code from this category, such as C16.0, C16.1, and C16.2.

Can C16 be reported with C46.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block C15-C26, which applies to C16, 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 C16 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 C16.