2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C22Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C22

ICD-10-CM C22
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C22 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C22.0, C22.1, C22.2, and C22.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C22
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
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
CategoryC22Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
This CodeC22Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ductsOverview

Non-specific codes like C22 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C22.0 for Liver cell carcinoma

  • Use C22.1 for Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

  • Use C22.2 for Hepatoblastoma

  • Use C22.3 for Angiosarcoma of liver

  • Use C22.4 for Other sarcomas of liver

  • Use C22.7 for Other specified carcinomas of liver

  • Use C22.8 for Malignant neoplasm of liver, primary, unspecified as to type

  • Use C22.9 for Malignant neoplasm of liver, not specified as primary or secondary

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C22: 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.

On C22 itself
  • malignant neoplasm of biliary tract NOS (C24.9)
  • secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct (C78.7)
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.

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 C22, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention C22.

  • Z85.05 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of liver
    Conditions classifiable to C22
  • Z80.0 Family history of malignant neoplasm of digestive organs
    Conditions classifiable to C15-C26 names C15-C26, which includes this code

Patient EducationClinical

Bile Duct Cancer

Your liver makes a digestive juice called bile. Your gallbladder stores it between meals. When you eat, your gallbladder pushes the bile into tubes called bile ducts. They carry the bile to your small intestine. The bile helps break down fat. It also helps the liver get rid of toxins and wastes.

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 C22Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts?

C22 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C22 (Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts need a more specific code from this category, such as C22.0, C22.1, and C22.2.

Can C22 be reported with C24.9?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on C22 lists "malignant neoplasm of biliary tract NOS (C24.9)". 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 C22 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-); hepatitis B (B16.-, B18.0-B18.1); hepatitis C (B17.1-, B18.2). The additional code is reported after C22.