C15.5 Malignant neoplasm of lower third of esophagus

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Acts as a Complication or Comorbidity (CC) as a secondary diagnosis.

Excludes1 (never code together)

• malignant neoplasm of cardio-esophageal junction (C16.0)

Applies from C15 Malignant neoplasm of esophagus

Use additional code

• code to identify:
• alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Risk adjustment (HCC)

• CMS-HCC V28: HCC 20 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
• CMS-HCC V22: HCC 9 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
• ESRD V24: HCC 9

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 374-376 in MDC 06.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 150.2 Malignant neoplasm of abdominal esophagus (approximate)
• 150.5 Malignant neoplasm of lower third of esophagus (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to C15.5

Back-references to C15

• Type 1 Excludes: K22.7 Barrett's esophagus ("malignant neoplasm of esophagus (C15.-)")

Nearby codes

• C15 Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
• C15.3 Malignant neoplasm of upper third of esophagus
• C15.4 Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
• C15.5 Malignant neoplasm of lower third of esophagus (this code)
• C15.8 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of esophagus
• C15.9 Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified