Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system (C72) ICD-10-CM
The C72 code range covers malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system with 19 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 14 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
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.
Codes in the C72 Range 19 codes · 14 billable
- C72 Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous systemNon-billable
- C72.0 Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord
- C72.1 Malignant neoplasm of cauda equina
- C72.2 Malignant neoplasm of olfactory nerveNon-billable
- C72.20 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified olfactory nerve
- C72.21 Malignant neoplasm of right olfactory nerve
- C72.22 Malignant neoplasm of left olfactory nerve
- C72.3 Malignant neoplasm of optic nerveNon-billable
- C72.30 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified optic nerve
- C72.31 Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerve
- C72.32 Malignant neoplasm of left optic nerve
- C72.4 Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerveNon-billable
- C72.40 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified acoustic nerve
- C72.41 Malignant neoplasm of right acoustic nerve
- C72.42 Malignant neoplasm of left acoustic nerve
- C72.5 Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified cranial nervesNon-billable
- C72.50 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified cranial nerve
- C72.59 Malignant neoplasm of other cranial nerves
- C72.9 Malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the C72 range.
Malignant Central Nervous System Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the brain or spinal cord. Representative examples include anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma, anaplastic (malignant) meningioma, lymphoma, and metastatic carcinoma from another anatomic site.
Malignant Cranial Nerve Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm that affects a cranial nerve.
Malignant Olfactory Nerve Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the olfactory nerve.
Malignant Optic Nerve Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm that affects the optic nerve.
Malignant Spinal Cord Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the spinal cord. Representative examples include lymphoma, melanoma, and sarcoma.
Malignant Vestibulocochlear Nerve Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the eighth cranial nerve, also referred to as the vestibulocochlear nerve.
About the C72 Code Range
These cancers affect the spinal cord, cranial nerves, or other parts of the central nervous system.
Separate codes identify the spinal cord (C72.0) and cauda equina (C72.1). The olfactory, optic, and acoustic nerve subdivisions each distinguish the right side, left side, or an unspecified side. C72.5 separates other cranial nerves from an unspecified cranial nerve. C72.9 identifies an unspecified central nervous system site.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the C72 range?
Of the 19 codes in this range, 14 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the C72 range classify?
The range classifies malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
