ICD-10 Code C49.10 – Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C49.10 – Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder
What it is
This code identifies a malignant soft tissue or connective tissue tumor in the upper limb, including the shoulder, when the exact side is not documented. Use it for primary or secondary site documentation that remains unspecified.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a persistent mass, swelling, pain, or reduced function in the arm or shoulder region. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation and pathology when available.
When to use this code
Use C49.10 when the record clearly states a malignant neoplasm of connective or soft tissue in the upper limb, but does not specify right or left. It also fits cases where the shoulder is included in the documented site and laterality is missing. If the provider names a more specific site or side, code that instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign soft tissue masses, uncertain behavior tumors, or metastatic disease without documentation of a primary soft tissue site. Check documentation if the lesion is described as skin, bone, or a different anatomic location.
Coding tip
Always verify whether laterality is documented; if it is, choose the specified upper-limb code instead of this unspecified site code.