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    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilageICD-10-CM c40-malignant-neoplasm-of-limbs
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage Of Limbs: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C40 includes malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage specifically affecting the limbs, covering primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma when located in upper or lower extremities. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters involving primary malignant bone tumors of the limbs, capturing tumor site, laterality, and extent for clinical and administrative records. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C40 group supports proper claim adjudication / complete clinical documentation / appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C40: Malignant Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage Of Limbs Overview

    This group includes malignant tumors arising in the bones and articular cartilage of the upper and lower limbs. It represents primary skeletal malignancies such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma when located in limb bones or joint cartilage. Accurate coding ensures complete clinical documentation and supports correct claim adjudication and reimbursement decisions.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinical diagnosis identifies a primary malignant tumor of bone or articular cartilage located in an upper or lower limb. Select the specific code to reflect the precise site and laterality documented in the medical record.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    18 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C40.00Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of unspecified upper limb
    C40.01Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of right upper limb
    C40.02Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of left upper limb
    C40.10Malignant neoplasm of short bones of unspecified upper limb
    C40.11Malignant neoplasm of short bones of right upper limb
    C40.12Malignant neoplasm of short bones of left upper limb
    C40.20Malignant neoplasm of long bones of unspecified lower limb
    C40.21Malignant neoplasm of long bones of right lower limb
    C40.22Malignant neoplasm of long bones of left lower limb
    C40.30Malignant neoplasm of short bones of unspecified lower limb
    C40.31Malignant neoplasm of short bones of right lower limb
    C40.32Malignant neoplasm of short bones of left lower limb
    C40.80Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of unspecified limb
    C40.81Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of right limb
    C40.82Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of left limb
    C40.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of unspecified limb
    C40.91Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of right limb
    C40.92Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of left limb

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    542Pathological Fractures and Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Malignancy with MCC
    543Pathological Fractures and Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Malignancy with CC
    544Pathological Fractures and Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Malignancy without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An older adult presents to the orthopedic oncology clinic with progressive localized pain, swelling, and a palpable mass of the distal femur that has been worsening for several months; imaging (X-ray and MRI) shows an aggressive lytic-sclerotic lesion of the femoral shaft with cortical destruction, and biopsy confirms high-grade osteosarcoma of the femur. A malignant bone tumor of a long bone of the lower limb is the primary diagnosis that guides surgical and oncologic planning. Typical codes: C40.10, C40.11
    • A middle-aged patient arrives to the emergency department after a pathological fracture of the proximal humerus following minimal trauma; prior radiographs revealed an expansile destructive lesion, and biopsy identifies chondrosarcoma of the proximal humerus. The acute fracture and need for urgent orthopedic stabilization lead to coding for the malignant bone neoplasm of the upper limb at the proximal site. Typical codes: C40.00, C40.01, C40.02
    • A young adult with a history of treated sarcoma of the distal tibia presents for surveillance and is found on follow-up imaging to have a recurrent destructive lesion at the distal tibia with regional pain but no fracture; biopsy confirms recurrent malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage at the distal lower limb. This scenario represents recurrent/local disease management and is coded to the malignant bone tumor of the lower limb at the ankle/distal site. Typical codes: C40.20, C40.21, C40.22

    Related Codes

    C41-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-BONE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage Of Other And Unspecified Sites: 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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