C10.3 (Malignant neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx) compared with D10.5 (Benign neoplasm of other parts of oropharynx), from the official CMS tabular data. C10.3 and D10.5 name the same anatomical site (oropharynx) with a different neoplasm behavior.
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — benign neoplasm (oropharynx)
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. C10.3 and D10.5 name the same anatomical site (oropharynx) with a different neoplasm behavior.
From the CMS 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.
| C10.3Malignant neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx | D10.5Benign neoplasm of other parts of oropharynx | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) |
| Definition | Malignant neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C10.3). | Benign neoplasm of other parts of oropharynx is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D10.5). |
| Includes | — | Benign neoplasm of epiglottis, anterior aspect Benign neoplasm of tonsillar fossa Benign neoplasm of tonsillar pillars Benign neoplasm of vallecula |
| Use additional code | code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-) exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22) | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources