2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C38Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C30-C39›C38

ICD-10-CM C38
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C38 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C38.0, C38.1, C38.2, and C38.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C38
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C30-C39
Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC30-C39Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs
CategoryC38Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
This CodeC38Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleuraOverview

Non-specific codes like C38 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C38.0 for Malignant neoplasm of heart

  • Use C38.1 for Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum

  • Use C38.2 for Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum

  • Use C38.3 for Malignant neoplasm of mediastinum, part unspecified

  • Use C38.4 for Malignant neoplasm of pleura

  • Use C38.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • mesothelioma C45

Patient EducationClinical

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Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About C38Overview

Is C38 (Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura need a more specific code from this category, such as C38.0, C38.1, and C38.2.