ICD-10 Code D16 – Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D16 – Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
What it is
D16 identifies a noncancerous tumor arising from bone or articular cartilage. Use it when documentation confirms a benign neoplasm in these tissues, not a malignant, metastatic, or uncertain lesion.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Patients may have a localized mass, pain, swelling, or an incidental imaging finding, but histology or specialist assessment usually supports the diagnosis.
When to use this code
Use D16 when the provider documents a benign neoplasm of bone or articular cartilage and no more specific site code is available in the record. It also applies when the lesion is described as benign but the exact bone site is not further specified. Check documentation if the pathology or imaging report is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use D16 for malignant bone tumors, metastatic disease, or lesions documented as uncertain behavior. If the record describes a cyst, fracture-related change, or inflammatory process instead, choose the documented condition.
Coding tip
Confirm the benign nature and exact anatomic site in the report before assigning D16.