FY2027 ICD-10-CM reference
C38: Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
By the HCC Buddy Coding Team
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Nonbillable heading. Verified against the official FY2027 order file.
More specific FY2027 codes
- C38.0: Malignant neoplasm of heartBillable code
- C38.1: Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinumBillable code
- C38.2: Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinumBillable code
- C38.3: Malignant neoplasm of mediastinum, part unspecifiedBillable code
- C38.4: Malignant neoplasm of pleuraBillable code
- C38.8: Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleuraBillable code
FY2027 Tabular instructions
Instructions below include applicable chapter, section and parent-code notes. Each note identifies where it appears in the official source.
Instructional note
Functional activity
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
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.
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
Morphology [Histology]
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
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.
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
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.
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
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).
Source: C00-D49 (chapter, inherited).
Includes
malignant neoplasm of middle ear
Source: C30-C39 (section, inherited).
Excludes1
mesothelioma (C45.-)
Source: C30-C39 (section, inherited).
Excludes1
mesothelioma (C45.-)
Source: C38 (category, direct).
Compare the FY2027 additions, removals and billable-status changes
What does C38 mean in FY2027?
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Is C38 billable in FY2027?
The FY2027 order file marks C38 as a nonbillable heading. Select a complete billable child code.
Does C38 map to an HCC?
Risk-model mapping is not applicable to this nonbillable heading. Check a complete billable child code.
Source: CMS FY2027 ICD-10-CM order file. Payment model: CMS CY 2027 Rate Announcement. Read the FY2027 Official Guidelines.
Review the FY2026 April edition