2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.601Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C43-C44›C44

ICD-10-CM C44.601
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C44.601 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 606 through 607. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin cancers - all other types.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C44.601
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder
Short Description
Unsp malignant neoplasm skin/ unsp upper limb, inc shoulder
Parent Code
C44.60
Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC43-C44Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
CategoryC44Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
This CodeC44.601Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Carcinoma of skin of upper limb
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of forearm
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of thumb
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of upper arm
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb
  • Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of thumb
  • Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of wrist
  • Neoplasm of skin of elbow
  • Neoplasm of skin of finger
  • Neoplasm of skin of forearm
  • Neoplasm of skin of upper arm
  • Neoplasm of skin of wrist
  • Primary carcinoma of skin of upper limb
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of forearm
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of elbow
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of finger
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of forearm
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of hand
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of shoulder
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of wrist

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO028
Skin cancers - all other types
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
nail [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb] › finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › antecubital space [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › arm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › elbow [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › finger [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › forearm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › hand [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › limb NEC › upperC44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › palm [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › shoulder [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › thumb [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › wrist [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, limb, upper]C44.60C79.2D04.6D23.6D48.5D49.2

Patient EducationClinical

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert C44.601 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
173.60 Mal neo skin up limb NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 C44.601Overview

Is C44.601 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C44.601 group to?

When unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 606, 607, with relative weights from 0.9064 to 1.5132 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C44.601?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder converts to ICD-9-CM 173.60 (mal neo skin up limb NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.