2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C48Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C45-C49›C48

ICD-10-CM C48
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C48 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C48.0, C48.1, C48.2, and C48.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C48
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C45-C49
Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC45-C49Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue
CategoryC48Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum
This CodeC48Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneumOverview

Non-specific codes like C48 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C48.0 for Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum

  • Use C48.1 for Malignant neoplasm of specified parts of peritoneum

  • Use C48.2 for Malignant neoplasm of peritoneum, unspecified

  • Use C48.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of retroperitoneum and peritoneum

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C48: its own notes plus those printed at 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.

  • Kaposi's sarcoma of connective tissue (C46.1)
  • mesothelioma (C45.-)

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 C48, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention C48.

  • Z85.83 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of bone and soft tissue
    Conditions classifiable to C40-C41; C45-C49 names C45-C49, which includes this code

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming C48: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • C26 Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
    malignant neoplasm of peritoneum and retroperitoneum (C48.-)
  • C45.1 Mesothelioma of peritoneum
    other malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of peritoneum (C48.-)

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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 C48Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum?

C48 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C48 (Malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum need a more specific code from this category, such as C48.0, C48.1, and C48.2.

Can C48 be reported with C46.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on C48 lists "Kaposi's sarcoma of connective tissue (C46.1)". 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).