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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code C71
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C71

Malignant neoplasm of brain

ICD-10-CM Code:
C71
ICD-10 Code for:
Malignant neoplasm of brain
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system
      (C69-C72)
      • Malignant neoplasm of brain
        (C71)

C71 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 brain. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Malignant neoplasm of brain

Non-specific codes like C71 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 brain:

  • Use C71.0 for Malignant neoplasm of cerebrum, except lobes and ventricles - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.1 for Malignant neoplasm of frontal lobe - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.2 for Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.3 for Malignant neoplasm of parietal lobe - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.4 for Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.5 for Malignant neoplasm of cerebral ventricle - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.6 for Malignant neoplasm of cerebellum - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.7 for Malignant neoplasm of brain stem - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.8 for Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of brain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C71.9 for Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

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

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • malignant neoplasm of cranial nerves C72.2 C72.5
  • retrobulbar malignant neoplasm C69.6

Patient Education


Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign, with no cancer cells, or malignant, with cancer cells that grow quickly. Some are primary brain tumors, which start in the brain. Others are metastatic, and they start somewhere else in the body and move to the brain.

Brain tumors can cause many symptoms. Some of the most common are:

  • Headaches, often in the morning
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in your ability to talk, hear, or see
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Problems with thinking or memory
  • Feeling weak or sleepy
  • Changes in your mood or behavior
  • Seizures

Doctors diagnose brain tumors by doing a neurologic exam and tests including an MRI, CT scan, and biopsy. Treatment options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Many people get a combination of treatments.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Brain Tumors-Patient Version

Learn about brain and spinal cord tumor risk factors, symptoms, tests to diagnose, factors affecting prognosis, and treatment.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.