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 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.
- mesothelioma C45
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.
Malignant Cardiac Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm involving the heart.
Malignant Mediastinal Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the mediastinum. Representative examples of primary malignant mediastinal neoplasms include malignant germ cell tumors, malignant mesenchymal tumors, lymphomas, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. A representative example of metastatic malignant neoplasm to the mediastinum is the metastatic carcinoma to the mediastinum from another anatomic site.
Malignant Pleural Neoplasm
A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm affecting the pleura. A representative example of primary malignant pleural neoplasm is the malignant pleural mesothelioma. A representative example of metastatic malignant neoplasm to the pleura is metastatic carcinoma that has spread to the pleura from another anatomic site.
About the C38 Code Range
Cancer of the heart, mediastinum, or pleura belongs to this category.
C38.0 identifies the heart, and C38.4 identifies the pleura. The mediastinum codes distinguish its anterior part (C38.1), posterior part (C38.2), or an unspecified part (C38.3). C38.8 identifies overlapping sites of the heart, mediastinum, and pleura.
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, 2026 through September 30, 2027. 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 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
