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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sitesICD-10-CM c79-secondary-malignant-neoplasm
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Sites: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group C79 includes secondary malignant neoplasms of other and unspecified sites, covering metastatic tumors that have spread from a primary site to various organs or locations not specified elsewhere. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving metastatic disease, capturing organ involvement, extent of spread, and complexity of care. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM C79 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM C79: Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Other And Unspecified Sites Overview

    This group includes secondary malignant neoplasms that have spread to other or unspecified sites in the body, representing metastatic disease rather than primary tumors. It covers metastases to organs and locations not otherwise classified within other secondary neoplasm codes. Accurate coding is important for clinical records and supports correct claim processing and reimbursement for services related to metastatic cancer care.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when documentation indicates a secondary malignant neoplasm located in an organ or site designated as other or unspecified and no more specific secondary neoplasm code applies. These codes are appropriate when the clinical record specifies metastatic disease to sites not defined by other C79 subcategories or when the site is recorded as unspecified.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C79.00Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney and renal pelvis
    C79.01Secondary malignant neoplasm of right kidney and renal pelvis
    C79.02Secondary malignant neoplasm of left kidney and renal pelvis
    C79.10Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified urinary organs
    C79.11Secondary malignant neoplasm of bladder
    C79.19Secondary malignant neoplasm of other urinary organs
    C79.2Secondary malignant neoplasm of skin
    C79.31Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain
    C79.32Secondary malignant neoplasm of cerebral meninges
    C79.40Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of nervous system
    C79.49Secondary malignant neoplasm of other parts of nervous system
    C79.51Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone
    C79.52Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone marrow
    C79.60Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary
    C79.61Secondary malignant neoplasm of right ovary
    C79.62Secondary malignant neoplasm of left ovary
    C79.63Secondary malignant neoplasm of bilateral ovaries
    C79.70Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified adrenal gland
    C79.71Secondary malignant neoplasm of right adrenal gland
    C79.72Secondary malignant neoplasm of left adrenal gland

    Showing 1–20 of 24

    DRG Codes

    44 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    054Nervous System Neoplasms with MCC
    055Nervous System Neoplasms without MCC
    456Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, Infection or Extensive Fusions with MCC
    457Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, Infection or Extensive Fusions with CC
    458Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, Infection or Extensive Fusions without CC/MCC
    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
    582Mastectomy for Malignancy with CC/MCC
    583Mastectomy for Malignancy without CC/MCC
    597Malignant Breast Disorders with MCC
    598Malignant Breast Disorders with CC
    599Malignant Breast Disorders without CC/MCC
    643Endocrine Disorders with MCC
    644Endocrine Disorders with CC
    645Endocrine Disorders without CC/MCC
    656Kidney and Ureter Procedures for Neoplasm with MCC
    657Kidney and Ureter Procedures for Neoplasm with CC
    658Kidney and Ureter Procedures for Neoplasm without CC/MCC
    686Kidney and Urinary Tract Neoplasms with MCC

    Showing 1–20 of 44

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A 68-year-old man with a history of treated lung adenocarcinoma presents to the oncology clinic with new onset headaches and progressive confusion. Brain MRI shows multiple enhancing lesions consistent with metastatic disease, prompting change in systemic therapy and consideration of stereotactic radiosurgery; a secondary malignancy code for brain metastasis is assigned. Typical codes: C79.31, C79.32
    • A 55-year-old woman with known breast cancer is admitted from the ED for acute onset severe low back pain and new lower extremity weakness; spinal MRI demonstrates vertebral body lesions with epidural tumor compression causing neurologic compromise, requiring urgent decompression and stabilization. Diagnosis coding captures the metastatic involvement of vertebrae and spinal structures as the reason for the acute presentation and surgical intervention. Typical codes: C79.51, C79.52, C79.2
    • A 72-year-old patient with colorectal primary cancer in active treatment is seen in clinic for progressive hepatic dysfunction with rising bilirubin and abdominal CT showing multiple liver lesions consistent with metastases; management is outpatient systemic therapy adjustment and palliative care planning. The encounter documents secondary malignant involvement of the liver as a chronic comorbidity affecting treatment decisions. Typical codes: C79.49, C79.9

    Related Codes

    C76-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-OTHER-ILL-DEFINED-SITES

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

    C77-SECONDARY-AND-UNSPECIFIED-LYMPH-NODE-NEOPLASMS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Secondary And Unspecified Malignant Neoplasm Of Lymph Nodes: Group Overview

    C78-SECONDARY-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-RESPIRATORY-DIGESTIVE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Secondary Malignant Neoplasm Of Respiratory And Digestive Organs: Group Overview

    C80-MALIGNANT-NEOPLASM-UNSPECIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Malignant Neoplasm Without Specification Of Site: 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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