ICD-10 Code C78.89 – Secondary malignant neoplasm of other digestive organs (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C78.89 – Secondary malignant neoplasm of other digestive organs
What it is
This code identifies metastatic cancer that has spread to digestive organs not named by a more specific secondary site code. Use it when the record states secondary malignant involvement of another digestive organ.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Findings may include evidence of metastatic disease on imaging, pathology, or operative reports involving a digestive organ outside the more specific code list.
When to use this code
Use C78.89 when the provider documents a secondary malignant tumor in an unspecified or other digestive organ, and no more specific site is available. It is appropriate for confirmed metastatic disease affecting digestive structures such as those not separately coded elsewhere. Check documentation if the primary cancer site is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for primary malignancies of digestive organs or for metastases to organs with a more specific ICD-10 code. If the note only says “metastatic cancer” without a digestive site, check documentation.
Coding tip
Code the documented metastatic site as specifically as possible, and confirm the primary malignancy is also captured when reported.