ICD10
ICD-10 Code C72.3: Malignant neoplasm of optic nerve
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 optic nerve 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
C69-C72Malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system
category
C72Malignant neoplasm of spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system
currentC72
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
C72.0Malignant neoplasm of spinal cordbillableC72.1Malignant neoplasm of cauda equinabillableC72.2Malignant neoplasm of olfactory nerveC72.4Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerveC72.5Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified cranial nervesC72.9Malignant neoplasm of central nervous system, unspecifiedbillable
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 254973003high
Malignant astrocytoma of optic nerve
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 363498002high
Malignant neoplasm of optic nerve
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 254972008high
Malignant neoplasm of optic nerve and sheath
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 404664002high
Malignant optic glioma
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 703429003high
Malignant optic glioma of adulthood
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1259733005high
Primary malignant astrocytoma of optic nerve
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
C72.3
Replacement codes
C72.30 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified optic nerveC72.31 — Malignant neoplasm of right optic nerveC72.32 — Malignant neoplasm of left optic nerve
Common synonyms
Malignant neoplasm of optic nerve
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.