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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of digestive organsICD-10-CM c18-malignant-neoplasm-of-colon
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Colon: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C18 includes malignant neoplasms of the colon, specifying tumors by anatomical subsite such as cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, overlapping lesions, and unspecified colon cancers. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document primary malignant tumors of the colon, capturing anatomical site, extent of disease when specified, and any clinical complexity related to tumor location. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C18 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C18: Malignant neoplasm of colon Overview

    The ICD-10-CM C18 group captures malignant tumors originating in the colon, including specific anatomic subsites such as the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and overlapping or unspecified regions. These diagnoses target the gastrointestinal system and reflect invasive colorectal cancers. Accurate coding matters because it informs clinical severity, guides care planning, and supports correct reimbursement and claim processing.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a confirmed malignant tumor of the colon is diagnosed and the clinician documents the anatomic subsite or indicates an overlapping or unspecified colon site. Choose the most specific code available to reflect the tumor location and any documented extension when applicable.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    10 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C18.0Malignant neoplasm of cecum
    C18.1Malignant neoplasm of appendix
    C18.2Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon
    C18.3Malignant neoplasm of hepatic flexure
    C18.4Malignant neoplasm of transverse colon
    C18.5Malignant neoplasm of splenic flexure
    C18.6Malignant neoplasm of descending colon
    C18.7Malignant neoplasm of sigmoid colon
    C18.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of colon
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    374Digestive Malignancy with MCC
    375Digestive Malignancy with CC
    376Digestive Malignancy without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An older adult presents to the emergency department with new-onset, progressive abdominal pain, bloating, and a change in bowel habits including blood in the stool. Imaging and colonoscopy reveal an obstructing mass in the cecum with biopsy confirming adenocarcinoma; a diagnosis from this group is assigned to indicate the primary malignant colon tumor causing acute presentation. Typical codes: C18.0, C18.9
    • A middle-aged patient in outpatient oncology follow-up has a known left-sided colon cancer treated previously with partial colectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy; surveillance colonoscopy and CT show a localized residual tumor in the sigmoid colon. The encounter documents active malignant neoplasm of the specific colon segment for ongoing management and surveillance. Typical codes: C18.7, C18.9
    • An elderly patient with a history of colon cancer presents with iron-deficiency anemia and fatigue; evaluation demonstrates a bleeding transverse colon tumor on colonoscopy. The visit documents the malignant neoplasm of the transverse colon as the underlying cause of the comorbidity (anemia) that prompted hospital admission. Typical codes: C18.2, C18.9

    Related Codes

    C15-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-ESOPHAGUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Esophagus: Group Overview

    C16-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-STOMACH

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Stomach: Group Overview

    C17-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-SMALL-INTESTINE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Small Intestine: Group Overview

    C19-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-RECTOSIGMOID-JUNCTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Rectosigmoid Junction: Group Overview

    C20-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-RECTUM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Rectum: Group Overview

    C21-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-ANUS-AND-ANAL-CANAL

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Anus And Anal Canal: Group Overview

    C22-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-LIVER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Liver And Intrahepatic Bile Ducts: Group Overview

    C23-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-GALLBLADDER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Gallbladder: Group Overview

    C24-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-BILIARY-TRACT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Parts Of Biliary Tract: Group Overview

    C26-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OTHER-ILL-DEFINED-DIGESTIVE-ORGANS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Ill-Defined Digestive Organs: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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