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    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous systemICD-10-CM c71-malignant-neoplasm-of-brain
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Brain: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C71 includes primary malignant neoplasms of the brain, specifying tumor site within intracranial structures such as the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brainstem. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios including confirmed primary brain cancer diagnoses, site-specific tumor involvement, and related manifestations such as focal neurologic deficits or increased intracranial pressure. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C71 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C71: Malignant Neoplasm Of Brain Overview

    The diagnoses in this group represent primary malignant tumors arising from brain tissue and structures within the central nervous system. These conditions target intracranial locations and can affect neurologic function depending on tumor site and extent. Accurate coding matters for clinical documentation and reimbursement because it captures tumor location and guides staging, treatment planning, and payer adjudication.

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    When to Use

    Assign a code from this group when there is a confirmed diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor with documented intracranial site. Use the most specific code available to reflect tumor location and any documented laterality or extension.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    10 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C71.0Malignant neoplasm of cerebrum, except lobes and ventricles
    C71.1Malignant neoplasm of frontal lobe
    C71.2Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe
    C71.3Malignant neoplasm of parietal lobe
    C71.4Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe
    C71.5Malignant neoplasm of cerebral ventricle
    C71.6Malignant neoplasm of cerebellum
    C71.7Malignant neoplasm of brain stem
    C71.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of brain
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    054Nervous System Neoplasms with MCC
    055Nervous System Neoplasms without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to the emergency department with acute-onset severe headache, progressive confusion, focal right-sided weakness, and new-onset seizures. Neuroimaging (MRI) reveals a contrast-enhancing mass in the left frontal lobe with surrounding vasogenic edema and midline shift requiring urgent neurosurgical evaluation; a histopathology report later confirms a primary malignant glial tumor localized to the frontal lobe, so a site-specific brain malignancy code is assigned. Typical codes: C71.1
    • An older patient with a months-long history of worsening gait instability, memory impairment, and personality changes is evaluated in neurology clinic; MRI demonstrates an infiltrative lesion of the cerebellum with biopsy confirming a high-grade malignant neoplasm arising in the cerebellar hemisphere. Because this is a chronic, progressive central nervous system malignancy presenting in an outpatient setting for staging and treatment planning, a cerebellar site-specific code is used. Typical codes: C71.6
    • A middle-aged patient with known primary brain cancer previously treated with surgery and radiotherapy presents for hospital admission with acute hydrocephalus from tumor obstruction of the ventricular system, causing worsening headache, nausea, and decreased consciousness requiring ventriculostomy. The admission diagnosis documents the malignant brain tumor as the underlying cause of the complication, so the code reflecting the specific tumor location is reported alongside codes for the complication. Typical codes: C71.9

    Related Codes

    C69-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-EYE-AND-ADNEXA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Eye And Adnexa: Group Overview

    C70-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OF-MENINGES

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

    C72-SPINAL-CORD-CRANIAL-NERVE-NEOPLASMS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord Cranial Nerves And Other Parts Of Central Nervous System: 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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