ICD-10 Code C72.0 – Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C72.0 – Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord
What it is
C72.0 identifies a malignant tumor arising in the spinal cord. Use it when the record documents cancer of the spinal cord, not a tumor in nearby bones or meninges.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include progressive neurologic deficits, sensory loss, weakness, gait disturbance, or back pain when a spinal cord malignancy is present.
When to use this code
Use C72.0 when the provider specifically documents a malignant neoplasm of the spinal cord, including primary spinal cord cancer. It may also fit when pathology, imaging, or specialist notes clearly support a spinal cord malignancy. If the site is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for benign spinal cord tumors, metastatic disease without spinal cord origin, or malignancies of the spinal meninges or vertebral column. Check documentation if the anatomic site is uncertain.
Coding tip
Verify the exact tumor site in the provider note, because spinal cord, meninges, and vertebral lesions are coded differently.