ICD-10 Code C38.4 – Malignant neoplasm of pleura (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C38.4 – Malignant neoplasm of pleura
What it is
C38.4 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the pleura, the thin membrane lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs. Use it when documentation states primary pleural cancer.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings may include pleural mass, recurrent pleural effusion, chest pain, or dyspnea, but you should code only what is documented.
When to use this code
Use C38.4 when the provider documents a malignant neoplasm of the pleura or primary pleural cancer. It may also apply when pathology or imaging supports a pleural malignancy and the final diagnosis names the pleura as the site. Check documentation if the chart only says metastatic disease.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign pleural lesions, pleural plaques, or nonspecific pleural effusion alone. If the tumor is metastatic to the pleura from another primary site, code the primary cancer instead.
Coding tip
Confirm the pleura is the primary site before assigning C38.4; otherwise, look for the documented primary malignancy.