Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs (C78) ICD-10-CM
The C78 code range covers secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs with 19 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 15 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.
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.
- lymph node metastases C77.0
Codes in the C78 Range 19 codes · 15 billable
- C78 Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organsNon-billable
- C78.0 Secondary malignant neoplasm of lungNon-billable
- C78.00 Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified lung
- C78.01 Secondary malignant neoplasm of right lung
- C78.02 Secondary malignant neoplasm of left lung
- C78.1 Secondary malignant neoplasm of mediastinum
- C78.2 Secondary malignant neoplasm of pleura
- C78.3 Secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified respiratory organsNon-billable
- C78.30 Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified respiratory organ
- C78.31 Secondary malignant neoplasm of larynx New
- C78.32 Secondary malignant neoplasm of pharynx New
- C78.39 Secondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organs
- C78.4 Secondary malignant neoplasm of small intestine
- C78.5 Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum
- C78.6 Secondary malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum
- C78.7 Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct
- C78.8 Secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified digestive organsNon-billable
- C78.80 Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified digestive organ
- C78.89 Secondary malignant neoplasm of other digestive organs
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the C78 range.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Digestive System
A malignant neoplasm that has spread to the digestive system from another anatomic site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Large Intestine
The spread of a malignant neoplasm to the large intestine. This may be from a primary large intestine malignant neoplasm, or from a malignant neoplasm at a distant site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Mediastinum
The spread of a malignant neoplasm to the mediastinum from an adjacent or distant anatomic site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Pleura
The spread of a malignant neoplasm to the pleura from an adjacent or distant anatomic site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm in the Small Intestine
A malignant neoplasm that has spread to the small intestine from another anatomic site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm to the Liver
A malignant neoplasm that has spread to the liver from another anatomic site.
Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm to the Lung
The spread of a malignant neoplasm to the lung. This may be from a primary lung malignant neoplasm, or from a malignant neoplasm at a distant site.
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
A peritoneal adenocarcinoma characterized by build-up of MUCUS in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. Mucus secreting cells may attach to the peritoneal lining and continue to secrete mucus. The majority of cases represent tumor spread from a primary low-grade mucinous neoplasm of the APPENDIX (NCI Thesaurus).
About the C78 Code Range
These codes describe cancer that has spread to respiratory or digestive organs. The subdivisions identify where the secondary cancer is found.
For respiratory sites, C78.0 separates the right lung, left lung, and unspecified lung. Other subdivisions distinguish the remaining named respiratory sites from unspecified respiratory organs.
Digestive subdivisions distinguish the small intestine, large intestine and rectum, liver and bile ducts within it, and other named or unspecified digestive sites.
FY 2027 changes: The FY 2027 ICD-10-CM update, effective October 1, 2026, added C78.31 and C78.32.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the C78 range?
Of the 19 codes in this range, 15 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 C78 range classify?
The range classifies secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs. 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.
