C78.5 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum) compared with D12.0 (Benign neoplasm of cecum), from the official CMS tabular data. C78.5 and D12.0 name the same anatomical site (caput coli) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — secondary malignancy (caput coli)
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. D12.0 and C78.5 name the same anatomical site (caput coli) 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.
| C78.5Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum | D12.0Benign neoplasm of cecum | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) |
| Definition | Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C78.5). | Benign neoplasm of cecum is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D12.0). |
| Includes | — | Benign neoplasm of ileocecal valve |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources