2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C38.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C30-C39›C38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
C38.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 180 through 182. Coders also document this condition as overlapping malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Cardiac cancers.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Overlapping malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
- Overlapping malignant neoplasm of mediastinum and pleura
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.
| Site | Malig. Primary | Malig. Secondary | Ca in situ | Benign | Uncertain | Unspec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pleura, pleural (cavity) › overlapping lesion with heart or mediastinum | C38.8 | – | – | – | – | – |
Patient EducationClinical
Cancer
Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Usually, your body forms new cells as needed, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should.
The full article covers:
- What is cancer?
- What are the types of cancer?
- How does cancer develop?
- What are the symptoms of cancer?
- How is cancer diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for cancer?
- Can cancer be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert C38.8 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C38.8Overview
Is C38.8 (Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does C38.8 group to?
When malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 180, 181, 182, with relative weights from 0.7440 to 1.7660 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C38.8?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura converts to ICD-9-CM 164.8 (mal neo mediastinum NEC). 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.
