C02.9 (Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified) compared with D37.02 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue), from the official CMS tabular data. C02.9 and D37.02 name the same anatomical site (lingual) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — uncertain behavior (lingual)
The behavior documented for the site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column of the neoplasm table, and therefore which code, applies.
Source: CMS Table of Neoplasms
Same site, different neoplasm behavior. C02.9 and D37.02 name the same anatomical site (lingual) with a different neoplasm behavior.
From the CMS/CDC Table of Neoplasms: the behavior documented for that site — malignant primary, secondary, carcinoma in situ, benign, uncertain or unspecified — decides which column, and therefore which code, applies.
| C02.9Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified | D37.02Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) |
| Definition | Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C02.9). | Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D37.02). |
| Use additional code | code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-) history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891) | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources