C38.4 (Malignant neoplasm of pleura) compared with C78.2 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of pleura), from the official CMS tabular data. C38.4 and C78.2 name the same anatomical site (pleura) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — secondary malignancy (pleura)
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. C38.4 and C78.2 name the same anatomical site (pleura) 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.
| C38.4Malignant neoplasm of pleura | C78.2Secondary malignant neoplasm of pleura | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms | C00-D49 — Neoplasms |
| Definition | Malignant neoplasm of pleura is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C38.4). | Secondary malignant neoplasm of pleura is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C78.2). |
| Includes | malignant neoplasm of middle ear | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources