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C21.0 vs D37.8

C21.0 (Malignant neoplasm of anus, unspecified) compared with D37.8 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified digestive organs), from the official CMS tabular data. C21.0 and D37.8 name the same anatomical site (anus) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

C21.0
Malignant neoplasm of anus, unspecified
D37.8
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified digestive organs

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — uncertain behavior (anus)

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

Can these codes be reported together?

Same site, different neoplasm behavior. C21.0 and D37.8 name the same anatomical site (anus) 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.

Side by side

C21.0Malignant neoplasm of anus, unspecifiedD37.8Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified digestive organs
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationC00-D49 — NeoplasmsC00-D49 — Neoplasms
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of anus, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C21.0).Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other specified digestive organs is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D37.8).
Includes
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of anal canal
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of anal sphincter
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of anus NOS
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of esophagus

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources