Malignant neoplasm of vagina
In Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58), chapter 2: Neoplasms
- C52 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under C51-C58 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is not a CC or MCC, so it doesn't raise the MS-DRG payment.
- Counts toward HCC 22 (Bladder, Colorectal, and Other Cancers) in the Medicare Advantage risk model (CMS-HCC V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as chronic: expected to last 12 months or longer and to limit daily life or need ongoing care.
- 435 US deaths in 2024 had an underlying cause in category C52, per the National Vital Statistics System on CDC WONDER. Death records use WHO ICD-10, so the count is for the whole category.
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Instructional notes
Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code
- carcinoma in situ of vagina (D07.2)
Also applies, from Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58)
These notes sit on C51-C58 and apply to every code under it, including C52.
Includes: conditions that are coded here
- malignant neoplasm of skin of female genital organs
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Rules for coding benign and malignant neoplasms: using the Neoplasm Table, sequencing primary and secondary sites, treatment encounters, complications, and current cancer versus personal history.
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of primary site (page 33)
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of secondary site (page 33)
- Coding and sequencing of complications (page 34)
- Primary malignancy previously excised (page 34)
- Admissions/Encounters involving antineoplastic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy (page 35)
- Admission/encounter to determine extent of malignancy (page 36)
- Symptoms, signs, and abnormal findings listed in Chapter 18 associated with neoplasms (page 36)
- Admission/encounter for pain control/management (page 36)
Other codes under C51-C58
Malignant neoplasms of female genital organs (C51-C58)
- C51Malignant neoplasm of vulva
- C52Malignant neoplasm of vagina(this code)
- C53Malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri
- C54Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri
- C55Malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified
- C56Malignant neoplasm of ovary
- C57Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified female genital organs
- C58Malignant neoplasm of placenta
C52 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, C52 groups to MS-DRG 731, 732, 733, 754, 755, or 756 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
- DRG 731 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy with MCC
- DRG 732 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy with CC
- DRG 733 Uterine and Adnexa Procedures for Malignancy without CC/MCC
- DRG 754 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System with MCC
- DRG 755 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System with CC
- DRG 756 Malignancy, Female Reproductive System without CC/MCC
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
C52 is in Female reproductive system cancers - vagina (NEO037, its default category), with 2 codes. Others in it:
- D07.2 Carcinoma in situ of vagina
Medicare coverage articles listing C52
These 31 Medicare billing and coding articles list C52 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
- MolDX: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Thrombophilia (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Solid Tumor Cancers (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Non-Next Generation Sequencing Targeted Molecular Panel Tests for Targeted Therapy in Cancer (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Plasma-Based Genomic Profiling in Solid Tumors (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Lab-Developed Tests for Inherited Cancer Syndromes in Patients with Cancer (3 contractors)
- Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (2 contractors)
- Lab: Flow Cytometry (2 contractors)
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks (2 contractors)
- Proton Beam Therapy
And 21 more.
Other codes that refer to C52
Notes on these codes point to C52.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts in the vagina. The vagina is the canal leading from your cervix (the opening of your uterus) to the outside of your body.
Read more about vaginal cancer on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 184.0 Malignant neoplasm of vagina