Alphabetic Index FY2027

C15

Malignant neoplasm of esophagus

FY2027Chapter 2: Neoplasms/C15–C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs

Non-billable headerNot valid on its own. Use one of the more specific codes under it.

C15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code category for malignant neoplasm of esophagus. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are C15.3 Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus, C15.4 Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus, C15.5 Malignant neoplasm of lower third of esophagus, C15.8 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of esophagus and 1 more. Its coding notes include a Use additional code instruction, 1 Excludes1 entry and 1 Excludes2 entry.

Guidelines tip

From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.

A primary malignancy code stays in use until treatment directed at that site is completed. After that, with no evidence of disease at the site, Z85 gives the former site.

Guidelines I.C.2.mCurrent malignancy versus personal history of malignancyRead the official text

Use additional code

Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.

This code
  • code to identify:
    • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Excludes1

Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.

Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
Inherited from C15–C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites (C46.4)

Excludes2

Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.

Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
Inherited from C15–C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs
  • gastrointestinal stromal tumors (C49.A-)

Notes

Also from chapter/block level (8 notes)
Inherited from Chapter 2 Neoplasms
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

More specific codes under C15 5