2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C66

Malignant neoplasm of ureter

ICD-10-CM Code:: C66
ICD-10 Code for:: Malignant neoplasm of ureter
Is Billable?: Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

C66 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of ureter. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Table of Contents

Code Information
Specific Coding
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Specific Coding Applicable to Malignant neoplasm of ureter

Non-specific codes like C66 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for malignant neoplasm of ureter:

Use C66.1 for Malignant neoplasm of right ureter - BILLABLE CODE
Use C66.2 for Malignant neoplasm of left ureter - BILLABLE CODE
Use C66.9 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ureter - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

Neoplasms
C00–D49
- Malignant neoplasms of urinary tract
  C64-C68
  - Malignant neoplasm of ureter
    C66

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.

Type 1 Excludes

malignant neoplasm of ureteric orifice of bladder C67.6

Patient Education

Cancer

What is 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. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer, while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of your body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.

What are the types of cancer?

There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Cancer can start almost anywhere in your body. Most cancers are named for where they start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast.

Cancer may also be described by the type of cell that formed it, such as sarcoma if cancer begins in your bone and soft tissue. Carcinoma is the most common type of cancer. It is formed by epithelial cells, the cells that cover the inside and outside surfaces of your body.

How does cancer develop?

Cancer is a genetic disease. That means changes in your genes cause it. Changes in your genes are also called gene variants or mutations. Genes are parts of DNA in your cells that you inherit from your parents. However, only some cancers are caused by genes passed down from your parents.

Genetic changes can occur to your genes over your lifetime that affect how your cells function. Usually, your body gets rid of damaged cells before they turn cancerous, but this ability goes down as you age. Other factors that may affect your risk of developing cancer can include:

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun
Smoking
Your diet
Physical inactivity

What are the symptoms of cancer?

Cancer symptoms depend on the type of cancer. For example, some of the symptoms that cancer may cause can include:

A lump in your breast
Blood in your urine (pee) or stool (poop)
Bleeding or bruising for no known reason
A sore that doesn't heal
Trouble swallowing
A new mole or a change to a mole you already have

Cancer may cause various symptoms but often doesn't cause pain. Don't wait until you're having pain before seeing your health care provider. See your provider if you have symptoms that don't get better in a few weeks.

How is cancer diagnosed?

There is no single test that can diagnose cancer. The tests ordered are usually based on your symptoms. Your provider may:

Ask about your medical history
Ask about your family health history, including relatives who have had cancer
Do a physical exam
Do a screening test such as a mammogram, colonoscopy, or a Pap test
Order blood tests or imaging tests

To find out if you have cancer, your provider may order a biopsy. A biopsy is the procedure of removing and examining tissue, cells, or fluids from your body.

What are the treatments for cancer?

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Most treatment plans may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Some may involve hormone therapy, immunotherapy or other types of biological therapy, or stem cell transplantation.

Can cancer be prevented?

It's usually not possible to know exactly why cancer develops in some people but not others. There are some things that you can't control which may increase or decrease your risk of getting cancer, such as inheriting certain genes or your age. But some lifestyle habits may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Avoid or reduce lifestyle habits such as:

Smoking and tobacco use
Having too much sun exposure
Drinking too much alcohol
Not getting enough physical activity
Having obesity

NIH: National Cancer Institute

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Ureteral Disorders

Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder in two thin tubes called ureters.

The ureters are about 8 to 10 inches long. Muscles in the ureter walls tighten and relax to force urine down and away from the kidneys. Small amounts of urine flow from the ureters into the bladder about every 10 to 15 seconds.

Sometimes the ureters can become blocked or injured. This can block the flow of urine to the bladder. If urine stands still or backs up the ureter, you may get a urinary tract infection.

Doctors diagnose problems with the ureters using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays, and examination of the ureter with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases