C72.4: Malignant neoplasm: Acoustic nerve

The tissue in the body is made up of cells. With cancer, the cells multiply uncontrollably, which leads to a malignant neoplasm (abnormal growth of tissue) developing. The cancer cells can destroy the healthy tissue and spread throughout the body.

Various nerves run from the brain to the sensory organs in the head, and to organs in the body. These nerves are called cranial nerves. These nerves are important in seeing, tasting or hearing, for example. But the cranial nerves also control important functions in the body, such as in the lungs and heart. You have cancer of the auditory nerve. This cranial nerve is also important for balance.

Not every cancer is the same. There are cancers that develop quickly. You may then quickly feel seriously ill. But there are also cancers that progress slowly. You may then feel generally unwell or weak, or even have no symptoms at all to start with. If you have cancer of the auditory nerve, you can sometimes find that the nerve no longer works properly. You can then no longer hear very well. You may also be dizzy.

The cancer can also grow close to the brain or into the brain. You can then also behave differently than usual or have seizures. These seizures may only affect one part of the body. A seizure may also occur without cramp. Then you are passed out for a short time.

Please note: This ICD code may also derive from the ICD-O system. If this is the case, there are usually additional letters and numbers in addition to the code. It starts with the letter M, followed by 4 digits and then a slash. There is another digit after the slash.

If it is an ICD-O code, then this does not describe a malignant cancer in all cases. The last digit after the slash gives you more detailed information about this: