C38.4 (Malignant neoplasm of pleura) compared with D49.1 (Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of respiratory system), from the official CMS tabular data. C38.4 and D49.1 name the same anatomical site (pleura) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived
Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.
Same site — primary 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. D49.1 and C38.4 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 | D49.1Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of respiratory system | |
|---|---|---|
| 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). | Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of respiratory system is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D49.1). |
| Includes | malignant neoplasm of middle ear | 'growth' NOS neoplasm NOS new growth NOS tumor NOS |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources