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C39.0 vs D38.5

C39.0 (Malignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecified) compared with D38.5 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs), from the official CMS tabular data. C39.0 and D38.5 name the same anatomical site (respiratory) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

C39.0
Malignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecified
↔
D38.5
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — uncertain behavior (respiratory)

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. C39.0 and D38.5 name the same anatomical site (respiratory) 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

C39.0Malignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecifiedD38.5Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationC00-D49 — NeoplasmsC00-D49 — Neoplasms
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of upper respiratory tract, part unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C39.0).Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D38.5).
Includes
malignant neoplasm of middle ear
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of accessory sinuses
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of cartilage of nose
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of nasal cavities
Use additional code
code to identify:
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
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Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources