ICD-10 Code C44.50 – Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of trunk (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.50 – Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of trunk
What it is
This code identifies a malignant skin tumor on the trunk when the record does not specify the exact skin type or more precise site. Use it for cancers of the chest, abdomen, back, or other trunk skin areas when documentation is limited.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a suspicious skin lesion on the trunk, such as a changing, nonhealing, or irregular growth. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation and pathology when available.
When to use this code
Use C44.50 when the provider documents a malignant neoplasm of skin on the trunk but does not name a more specific subsite or histology. It is also appropriate when the chart only supports an unspecified skin cancer of the trunk. If the site is documented more precisely, code the specific location instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign skin lesions, premalignant changes, or malignant neoplasms of non-skin tissues. If the documentation identifies a specific trunk subsite or a different skin cancer code, choose that code instead.
Coding tip
Check the pathology report and operative note for a more specific trunk site before assigning the unspecified code.