Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura (C38) ICD-10-CM
The C38 code range covers malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura with 7 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 6 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, 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.
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Codes in the C38 Range 7 codes · 6 billable
- C38 Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleuraNon-billable
- C38.0 Malignant neoplasm of heart
- C38.1 Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum
- C38.2 Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
- C38.3 Malignant neoplasm of mediastinum, part unspecified
- C38.4 Malignant neoplasm of pleura
- C38.8 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the C38 range.
Endocardium
The innermost layer of the heart, comprised of endothelial cells.
Myocardial Stunning
Prolonged dysfunction of the myocardium after a brief episode of severe ischemia, with gradual return of contractile activity.
Myocardium
The muscle tissue of the HEART. It is composed of striated, involuntary muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC) connected to form the contractile pump to generate blood flow.
Pericardial Fluid
Watery fluid produced in the serous and visceral pericardium surrounding the surface of the HEART.
Pericardium
A conical fibro-serous sac surrounding the HEART and the roots of the great vessels (AORTA; VENAE CAVAE; PULMONARY ARTERY). Pericardium consists of two sacs: the outer fibrous pericardium and the inner serous pericardium. The latter consists of an outer parietal layer facing the fibrous pericardium, and an inner visceral layer (epicardium) resting next to the heart, and a pericardial cavity between these two layers.
About the C38 Code Range
The ICD-10 code C38 encompasses malignant tumors of the heart, mediastinum, and pleura. These codes help specify the exact location of primary cancers within these critical chest structures, allowing for precise diagnostic classification.
This section includes codes such as C38.0 for malignant neoplasm of the heart, covering various synonyms like malignant tumor of myocardium or pericardium, and C38.4 for malignant neoplasm of the pleura, including tumors of both parietal and visceral pleura. Codes C38.1 and C38.2 differentiate malignant tumors in the anterior and posterior mediastinum, often associated with terms like malignant germ cell neoplasm or sarcoma of the mediastinum. The code C38.3 covers unspecified parts of the mediastinum and includes conditions such as malignant pericardial effusion and mediastinal malignant teratoma. Lastly, C38.8 is used for overlapping malignant neoplasms affecting more than one of these sites. Medical coders use this ICD-10 code section to accurately classify cancers related specifically to the heart, mediastinum, or pleura, ensuring detailed documentation and billing for these complex malignancies.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the C38 range?
Of the 7 codes in this range, 6 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the C38 range classify?
The range classifies malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
