ICD-10 Code C15.4 – Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C15.4 – Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
What it is
C15.4 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the middle third of the esophagus. Use it when the record specifies this anatomic site and confirms cancer of the esophagus.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include progressive swallowing difficulty, painful swallowing, weight loss, or endoscopic/imaging evidence of an esophageal mass.
When to use this code
Use C15.4 when the provider documents primary esophageal cancer in the middle third, or when pathology, endoscopy, or imaging clearly localizes the malignancy to that segment. Code it only when the site is stated or can be determined from the report. Check documentation if the lesion spans multiple esophageal regions.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign esophageal lesions, dysplasia, or tumors of the lower or upper esophagus. If the record does not identify the middle third specifically, check documentation.
Coding tip
Confirm both malignancy and exact esophageal location before assigning C15.4.