ICD-10 Code C40.1 – Malignant neoplasm of short bones of upper limb (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C40.1 – Malignant neoplasm of short bones of upper limb
What it is
C40.1 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the short bones of the upper limb, such as the wrist or hand. Use it when the record clearly documents a primary cancer in these bones.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include localized pain, swelling, or a mass in the affected upper-limb bone, with imaging or pathology confirming malignancy.
When to use this code
Use C40.1 when the provider documents a primary malignant neoplasm in the short bones of the upper limb. It fits cases involving the carpal or metacarpal region when the site is specified as a short bone. If the note is vague or the exact bone is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign bone tumors, metastatic disease to the upper limb, or malignancies in long bones of the arm. Check documentation if the lesion is described only as soft tissue or unspecified bone.
Coding tip
Verify that the record names the upper-limb short bone site before assigning C40.1.