2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C56Malignant neoplasm of ovary

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C51-C58›C56

ICD-10-CM C56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

C56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of ovary, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C56.1, C56.2, C56.3, and C56.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of ovary
Short Description
Malignant neoplasm of ovary
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
C51-C58
Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC51-C58Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs
CategoryC56Malignant neoplasm of ovary
This CodeC56Malignant neoplasm of ovary

Specific Coding for Malignant neoplasm of ovaryOverview

Non-specific codes like C56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C56.1 for Malignant neoplasm of right ovary

  • Use C56.2 for Malignant neoplasm of left ovary

  • Use C56.3 for Malignant neoplasm of bilateral ovaries

  • Use C56.9 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C56: its own notes plus those printed at block C51-C58 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 C51-C58 Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs applies to 36 codes
  • malignant neoplasm of skin of female genital organs

Use Additional Code

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

  • code to identify any functional activity

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 C56, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 2

These notes mention C56.

  • Z80.4 Family history of malignant neoplasm of genital organs
    Conditions classifiable to C51-C63 names C51-C63, which includes this code
  • Z85.4 Personal history of malignant neoplasm of genital organs
    Conditions classifiable to C51-C63 names C51-C63, which includes this code

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming C56: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • C75 Malignant neoplasm of other endocrine glands and related structures
    malignant neoplasm of ovary (C56.-)

Code First 2

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and C56 is one of the conditions named.

  • R18.0 Malignant ascites
    malignant neoplasm of ovary (C56.-)
  • Z17 Estrogen, and other hormones and factors receptor status
    malignant neoplasm of ovary (C56.-)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Malignant Ovarian Neoplasm

    a primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the ovary. most primary malignant ovarian neoplasms are either carcinomas (serous, mucinous, or endometrioid adenocarcinomas) or malignant germ cell tumors. metastatic malignant neoplasms to the ovary include carcinomas, lymphomas, and melanomas.

Patient EducationClinical

Ovarian Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the body grow out of control and form a tumor. Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor that forms in the tissues of an ovary. The ovaries are a pair of female reproductive glands that make eggs and female hormones.

The full article covers:

  • What is ovarian cancer?
  • What are the types of ovarian cancer?
  • What causes ovarian cancer?
  • Who is more likely to develop ovarian cancer?
  • What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
  • How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for ovarian cancer?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 C56Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for malignant neoplasm of ovary?

C56 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant neoplasm of ovary, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is C56 (Malignant neoplasm of ovary) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of ovary, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of ovary need a more specific code from this category, such as C56.1, C56.2, and C56.3.

Does C56 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify any functional activity. The additional code is reported after C56.