Esophageal Cancer ICD 10 Code

Refresher: What Are ICD 10 Codes?

ICD-10 stands for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. It is a coding system used in healthcare to classify diagnoses, procedures, and symptoms systematically. CM indicates “Clinical Modification,” which is used in the U.S. for disease diagnoses (ICD-10-CM). ICD-10-PCS codes are used for coding procedures in inpatient settings. Both of these coding systems are used for medical claims and statistics purposes.

If we look back into history, the roots of the ICD 10 coding system go back to the 1850s. The first edition of ICD 10 coding was known as the International List of Causes of Death and was used by the International Statistical Institute in 1893. As the field of medicine progressed through the years, WHO assumed oversight of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) by 1948. The organization primarily intended to track and facilitate various populations to eliminate diseases. At that time, the Sixth Revision (ICD 6) was published to introduce the causes of morbidity to the coding system. WHO published ICD 7 and ICD 8 in 1957 and 1968, respectively. By 1979, WHO had published the Ninth Revision (ICD 9) of the coding system, which established an opportunity for the U.S. to develop an exclusive version of the Ninth Revision, ICD 9-CM (clinical modification). [¹]

The introduction of ICD 9-CM served as the core for various further developments to capture enhanced morbidity data. This (U.S.) version also incorporated surgical procedures and other parameters necessary for categorizing the needs of hospitals. With growing challenges in the healthcare industry, ICD 9-CM (updated by CMS and the NCHS) had a limited capacity to add codes. After decades of planning and development, CMS and the NCHS introduced a new system, ICD 10-CM (Tenth Revision, clinical modification), to overcome the limitations of the previous version.

In general, ICD-10 codes are different for primary cancers (“malignant neoplasms”) and for metastatic lung cancer (“secondary malignant neoplasms”). [²]

What Is the ICD 10 Code for Esophageal Cancer?

For primary esophageal cancer tumors, the general ICD-10 code is C15 (malignant neoplasm of esophagus), whereas, for secondary or metastatic tumors, the ICD-10 code is C78.89 (secondary malignant neoplasm of other digestive organs).

Primary Esophageal Cancer ICD 10 Code: C15

Primary Esophageal Cancer ICD Code C15 Lookup

Below is the table of the ICD 10 esophageal cancer codes for primary esophageal cancers, which are classified under C15, “malignant neoplasm of esophagus”. [³]

Types of Esophageal Cancer Coded Under C15

The ICD 10 code C15 does not specify the subtype of esophageal cancer. A C15 code can also apply to the primary esophageal cancers of various cell types. The following list covers the cell types to give you a better idea.

• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (located in the upper of middle third part of the esophagus)
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma (located in the lower part of the esophagus)

In other words, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ICD 10 and esophageal adenocarcinoma ICD 10 codes could all be C15 if they are determined to be primary malignant neoplasms of the esophagus. To exemplify, a patient diagnosed with stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, with the tumor located in the upper third part of the esophagus, would be coded with C15.3. Similarly, if the tumor is located in the middle third of the esophagus, the patient will be coded with C15.4.

Secondary and Metastatic Esophageal Cancer ICD 10 Code: C78.89

Secondary or Metastatic Esophageal Cancer ICD 10 Code C78.89 Lookup

Secondary or metastatic cancers spread from other parts of the body after affecting the primary site. The cancers metastasized from other locations may form the same tumor as in the primary site. The ICD 10 esophageal cancer code for secondary esophageal cancers, or esophageal cancers metastasized from other locations, is C78.89, “secondary malignant neoplasm of other digestive organs”. [⁴]

Conclusion

The ICD 10 code for esophageal cancer depends on multiple factors inlcuding the position of the tumor and the primary or secondary formation of neoplasm. Esophageal cancer ICD 10 codes are classified based on three main subsites (upper third of esophagus, middle third of esophagus, and lower third of esophagus), followed by overlapping and unspecified sites. Primary esophageal cancers fall under ICD 10 C15 and secondary cancers lie in the C78.89. It is worth remembering that the ICD 10 code does not specify the exact esophageal cancer type. The codes can be the same if two different types of esophageal cancer are located in the same part. For accuracy of ICD 10 coding, understanding the origin and pathophysiology of esophageal tumors and the patient’s condition is crucial.