ICD-10 Code C24.0 – Malignant neoplasm of extrahepatic bile duct (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C24.0 – Malignant neoplasm of extrahepatic bile duct
What it is
C24.0 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the extrahepatic bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. Use it for primary cancer in this duct system; check documentation if the exact site is unclear.
Clinical signs
Patients may present with obstructive jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, pruritus, or right upper abdominal discomfort. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation and confirmed imaging, pathology, or endoscopic findings.
When to use this code
Use C24.0 when the provider documents a primary malignant neoplasm of the extrahepatic bile duct, including the common hepatic, cystic, or common bile duct region when specified as extrahepatic. Code it from confirmed documentation, not from suspicion alone. If the record only says “bile duct cancer,” verify the anatomic site.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for intrahepatic bile duct cancer, gallbladder malignancy, or benign biliary strictures. If the documentation is nonspecific or the site is not confirmed, check documentation before assigning C24.0.
Coding tip
Capture the exact duct location from the pathology or operative note, because site specificity drives correct code selection.