C39 is the authoritative medical code for Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (ICD-10-CM C39), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code C39. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: malignant neoplasm of middle ear. Excludes1 (not coded here): intrathoracic malignant neoplasm NOS C76.1; thoracic malignant neoplasm NOS C76.1; mesothelioma C45.-. Use additional code: code to identify:; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z77.22; exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period P96.81; history of tobacco dependence Z87.891; occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z57.31; tobacco dependence F17.-; tobacco use Z72.0.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for C39 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- malignant neoplasm of middle ear
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- intrathoracic malignant neoplasm NOS C76.1
- thoracic malignant neoplasm NOS C76.1
- mesothelioma C45.-
Use Additional Code
Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.
- code to identify:
- exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z77.22
- exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period P96.81
- history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
- occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z57.31
- tobacco dependence F17.-
- tobacco use Z72.0
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can C39 be billed directly?
No. C39 (Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
What can't be coded together with C39?
Per Excludes1 instructions, C39 must not be reported with: intrathoracic malignant neoplasm NOS (C76.1); thoracic malignant neoplasm NOS (C76.1); mesothelioma (C45.-).
Is an additional code needed with C39?
Use additional code(s) to specify: code to identify:; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22); exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81); history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891).
Codes in This Family (2)
Official ICD-10-CM classifications in the same code family as C39, with their registry titles.
- C39.0 — Malignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecified
- C39.9 — Malignant neoplasm of lower respiratory tract, part unspecified
Related Codes & Numerical Sequence (Crawl Map)
Search engines and indexers are advised to traverse adjacent medical codes in this sub-chapter range to find correlated diagnoses or therapeutic procedures:
ICD Code C38
Malignant neoplasm of heart, mediastinum and pleura
ICD Code C40
Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs
ICD Code C41
Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of other and unspecified sites
ICD Code C44
Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin