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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organsICD-10-CM c38-malignant-neoplasm-heart-mediastinum-pleura
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Heart Mediastinum And Pleura: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C38 includes malignant neoplasms located in the heart, mediastinum, and pleura, covering primary cancers of these intrathoracic structures. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document primary thoracic malignancies, capturing tumor site specificity, local extension, and involvement of adjacent structures that influence clinical management. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C38 group supports complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C38: Malignant Neoplasm Of Heart, Mediastinum And Pleura Overview

    The diagnoses in this group represent primary malignant tumors arising in the heart, mediastinum, and pleural tissues, which are part of the thoracic cavity and central chest structures. These conditions target intrathoracic organs and can affect cardiovascular and respiratory function depending on location and extent. Accurate coding matters for clinical records and reimbursement because it captures tumor site specificity and supports appropriate claim processing.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation identifies a primary malignant neoplasm of the heart, mediastinum, or pleura as the principal diagnosis or a relevant comorbidity. Select the specific code that matches the documented anatomic site and any noted local extension or laterality when applicable.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    6 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C38.0Malignant neoplasm of heart
    C38.1Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum
    C38.2Malignant neoplasm of posterior mediastinum
    C38.3Malignant neoplasm of mediastinum, part unspecified
    C38.4Malignant neoplasm of pleura
    C38.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of heart, mediastinum and pleura

    DRG Codes

    6 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    180Respiratory Neoplasms with MCC
    181Respiratory Neoplasms with CC
    182Respiratory Neoplasms without CC/MCC
    314Other Circulatory System Diagnoses with MCC
    315Other Circulatory System Diagnoses with CC
    316Other Circulatory System Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An older adult with progressive dyspnea, chest pain, and unintentional weight loss undergoes chest imaging that reveals a mass centered in the pericardium with evidence of local invasion; biopsy confirms a primary malignant neoplasm arising from the heart lining. The patient presents for staging, symptom management, and coordination of oncology care after histologic confirmation, and a code from this group is assigned to represent the primary cardiac malignancy. Typical codes: C38.0, C38.8
    • A middle-aged patient with a history of smoking and prior thoracic radiation develops persistent cough, hemoptysis, and mediastinal widening on CT; endoscopic biopsy identifies a malignant tumor originating in the mediastinum. The patient is referred for oncology evaluation and radiotherapy planning; a mediastinal primary malignant neoplasm code from this group is used to capture the intrathoracic tumor location. Typical codes: C38.1, C38.8
    • A hospitalized patient with known pleural-based malignancy presents with acute pleural effusion causing respiratory compromise; thoracentesis and cytology confirm malignant cells consistent with a primary pleural neoplasm rather than metastatic disease. The acute complication of pleural malignancy leading to hospitalization is coded using the appropriate pleural malignancy code from this group to document the cause of the effusion and guide inpatient care. Typical codes: C38.4, C38.8

    Related Codes

    C30-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-NASAL-CAVITY-MIDDLE-EAR

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Nasal Cavity And Middle Ear: Group Overview

    C31-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-ACCESSORY-SINUSES

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

    C32-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-LARYNX

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

    C33-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-TRACHEA

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

    C34-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-BRONCHUS-AND-LUNG

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Bronchus And Lung: Group Overview

    C37-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-THYMUS

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

    C39-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OTHER-ILL-DEFINED-SITES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Ill-Defined Sites In The Respiratory System And Intrathoracic 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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