2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C39Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C30-C39›C39

ICD-10-CM C39
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C39 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C39.0 and C39.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C39
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs
Short Description
Malig neoplm of sites in the resp sys and intrathorac organs
Chapter
C30-C39
Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC30-C39Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs
CategoryC39Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs
This CodeC39Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs

Specific Coding for Malig neoplm of sites in the resp sys and intrathorac organsOverview

Non-specific codes like C39 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C39.0 for Malignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecified

  • Use C39.9 for Malignant neoplasm of lower respiratory tract, part unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C39: its own notes plus those printed at block C30-C39 and Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block C30-C39 Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs applies to 40 codes
  • malignant neoplasm of middle ear

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

On C39 itself
  • intrathoracic malignant neoplasm NOS (C76.1)
  • thoracic malignant neoplasm NOS (C76.1)
From Block C30-C39 Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs applies to 40 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

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 C39, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention C39.

  • Z80.2 Family history of malignant neoplasm of other respiratory and intrathoracic organs
    Conditions classifiable to C30-C32, C37-C39 names C37-C39, 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 C39Overview

Is C39 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs need a more specific code from this category, such as C39.0 and C39.9.

Can C39 be reported with C76.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on C39 lists "intrathoracic malignant neoplasm NOS (C76.1)". 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 C39 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify: exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22); exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81); history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891); occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31); tobacco dependence (F17.-); and 1 more listed in the Instructional Notes section. The additional code is reported after C39.