ICD10
ICD-10 Code C40.3: Malignant neoplasm of short bones of lower limb
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents malignant neoplasm of short bones of lower limb in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
2Neoplasms (C00-D49)
block
C00-C96Malignant neoplasms
block
C00-C75Malignant neoplasms, stated or presumed to be primary (of specified sites), and certain specified histologies, except neuroendocrine, and of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue
block
C40-C41Malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage
category
C40Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of limbs
currentC40
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
OncologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
Sibling codes
C40.0Malignant neoplasm of scapula and long bones of upper limbC40.1Malignant neoplasm of short bones of upper limbC40.2Malignant neoplasm of long bones of lower limbC40.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of bone and articular cartilage of limbC40.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified bones and articular cartilage of limb
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 187967002high
Malignant neoplasm of calcaneum
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 187969004high
Malignant neoplasm of intermediate cuneiform
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 187970003high
Malignant neoplasm of lateral cuneiform
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 187968007high
Malignant neoplasm of medial cuneiform
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 187972006high
Malignant neoplasm of navicular bone of foot
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 712525007high
Malignant neoplasm of short bone of lower limb
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
C40.3
Replacement codes
C40.30 — Malignant neoplasm of short bones of unspecified lower limbC40.31 — Malignant neoplasm of short bones of right lower limbC40.32 — Malignant neoplasm of short bones of left lower limb
Common synonyms
Malignant neoplasm of short bones of lower limb
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.