ICD-10 Code C50.1 – Malignant neoplasm of central portion of breast (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C50.1 – Malignant neoplasm of central portion of breast
What it is
C50.1 identifies a malignant breast tumor located in the central portion of the breast, including the nipple-areolar area. Use it when documentation specifies this exact anatomic site.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include a breast mass, nipple changes, skin retraction, or abnormal imaging, with pathology confirming malignancy.
When to use this code
Use C50.1 when the provider documents primary breast cancer centered in the middle of the breast. It is appropriate for confirmed malignancy, whether newly diagnosed or under active evaluation. If the chart only says “breast cancer” without location, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign breast masses, in situ lesions without invasive cancer, or malignancies documented in another breast quadrant. Check documentation if the site is unclear.
Coding tip
Verify the exact breast subsite in the pathology, imaging, or oncology note before assigning C50.1.