2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C72Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C69-C72›C72

ICD-10-CM C72
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C72 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as C72.0, C72.1, C72.20, and C72.21.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C72
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system
Short Description
Malig neoplm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and oth prt cnsl
Chapter
C69-C72
Malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC69-C72Malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system
CategoryC72Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system
This CodeC72Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system

Specific Coding for Malig neoplm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and oth prt cnslOverview

Non-specific codes like C72 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use C72.0 for Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord

  • Use C72.1 for Malignant neoplasm of cauda equina

  • C72.2 for Malignant neoplasm of olfactory nerve

  • Use C72.20 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified olfactory nerve

  • Use C72.21 for Malignant neoplasm of right olfactory nerve

  • Use C72.22 for Malignant neoplasm of left olfactory nerve

  • C72.3 for Malignant neoplasm of optic nerve

  • Use C72.30 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified optic nerve

  • Use C72.31 for Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerve

  • Use C72.32 for Malignant neoplasm of left optic nerve

  • C72.4 for Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerve

  • Use C72.40 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified acoustic nerve

  • Use C72.41 for Malignant neoplasm of right acoustic nerve

  • Use C72.42 for Malignant neoplasm of left acoustic nerve

  • C72.5 for Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified cranial nerves

  • Use C72.50 for Malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve

  • Use C72.59 for Malignant neoplasm of other cranial nerves

  • Use C72.9 for Malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • malignant neoplasm of meninges C70
  • malignant neoplasm of peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system C47

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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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About C72Overview

Is C72 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system need a more specific code from this category, such as C72.0, C72.1, and C72.20.