ICD-10 Code C72.31 – Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerve (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C72.31 – Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerve
What it is
C72.31 identifies a malignant tumor involving the right optic nerve. Use it when documentation specifies a cancer arising in, or involving, that nerve on the right side.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly reported findings may include visual loss, reduced visual acuity, visual field defects, or optic nerve abnormalities on examination or imaging.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents a malignant neoplasm of the right optic nerve, including confirmed primary or involved disease on that side. It also fits when the record clearly localizes the malignancy to the right optic nerve and no more specific code is provided.
Do not use for
Do not use it for benign optic nerve tumors, unspecified optic nerve laterality, or non-neoplastic optic nerve disorders. Check documentation if the note only says “optic nerve lesion” without confirming malignancy.
Coding tip
Verify laterality and whether the tumor is primary or secondary before assigning C72.31.