ICD-10 Code C72 – Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C72 – Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system
What it is
C72 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the spinal cord, cranial nerves, or other specified central nervous system structures. Use it when the documentation names a primary cancer in these sites.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. You may see neurologic deficits, pain, sensory changes, weakness, cranial nerve findings, or signs of spinal cord compression, depending on the tumor location.
When to use this code
Use C72 when the provider documents a malignant neoplasm of the spinal cord, cranial nerves, or another specified central nervous system site. Apply it for confirmed primary tumors in these locations, including pathology or imaging-supported diagnoses when documented as malignant. Check documentation if the exact site is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use C72 for benign or uncertain CNS tumors, metastatic disease to the CNS, or tumors in sites outside the spinal cord and cranial nerves. Check documentation when the lesion is described only as a brain mass.
Coding tip
Code the most specific CNS site documented; if the record does not specify the structure, query the provider.