2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C26Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C15-C26›C26

ICD-10-CM C26
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C26 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C26.0, C26.1, and C26.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C26
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
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
CategoryC26Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
This CodeC26Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organsOverview

Non-specific codes like C26 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C26.0 for Malignant neoplasm of intestinal tract, part unspecified

  • Use C26.1 for Malignant neoplasm of spleen

  • Use C26.9 for Malignant neoplasm of ill-defined sites within the digestive system

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C26: 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 C26 itself
  • malignant neoplasm of peritoneum and retroperitoneum (C48.-)
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-)

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 C26, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention C26.

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

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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 C26Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs?

C26 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C26 (Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs need a more specific code from this category, such as C26.0, C26.1, and C26.9.

Can C26 be reported with a code from C48?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on C26 lists "malignant neoplasm of peritoneum and retroperitoneum (C48.-)". 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).