C71.4 (Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe) compared with C79.31 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain), from the official CMS tabular data. C71.4 and C79.31 name the same anatomical site (brain) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — secondary malignancy (brain)
The behavior documented for the site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column of the neoplasm table, and therefore which code, applies.
Source: CMS Table of Neoplasms
Same site, different neoplasm behavior. C71.4 and C79.31 name the same anatomical site (brain) with a different neoplasm behavior.
From the CMS/CDC Table of Neoplasms: the behavior documented for that site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column, and therefore which code, applies.
| C71.4Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe | C79.31Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms | C00-D49 — Neoplasms |
| Definition | Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C71.4). | Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C79.31). |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources