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  2. ICD-10-CM Codes List
  3. C00–D49
  4. Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)

Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)

ICD-10 codes C15-C26 specifically identify various types of malignant neoplasms of digestive organs. These codes cover cancers in key digestive system locations such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, biliary tract, pancreas, spleen, and other undefined digestive sites.

This range includes detailed subcategories for common cancer sites, like C15.3 to C15.9 for cancers in different parts of the esophagus (often called primary carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas), and C16.0 to C16.9 for stomach cancer including adenocarcinomas of the cardia and pylorus. Codes like C17.0 to C17.9 specify malignant tumors of the small intestine, while C18.0 to C18.9 cover colon cancers with precise locations such as cecum or sigmoid colon. Rectal and anal cancers fall under C19 to C21, covering primary adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, are coded from C22.0 to C22.9. Biliary and gallbladder malignancies use C23 and C24, and pancreatic cancers, including endocrine pancreas tumors, are detailed from C25.0 to C25.9. The range concludes with C26 codes for ill-defined digestive organ malignancies, such as unspecified intestinal tract and spleen tumors. These codes facilitate precise documentation of digestive organ cancers by site and tumor type, assisting clinical tracking and treatment strategies.

Instructional Notations

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.

  • Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites C46.4

Type 2 Excludes

A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.

  • gastrointestinal stromal tumors C49.A