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C72.4 vs D33.3

C72.4 (Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerve) compared with D33.3 (Benign neoplasm of cranial nerves), from the official CMS tabular data. C72.4 and D33.3 name the same anatomical site (acoustic nerve) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

C72.4
Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerve
D33.3
Benign neoplasm of cranial nerves

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — benign neoplasm (acoustic nerve)

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. C72.4 and D33.3 name the same anatomical site (acoustic nerve) 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

C72.4Malignant neoplasm of acoustic nerveD33.3Benign neoplasm of cranial nerves
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: C72.40, C72.41, C72.42

Billable
ClassificationC00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of acoustic nerve is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (C72.4).Benign neoplasm of cranial nerves is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D33.3).
Includes
Benign neoplasm of olfactory bulb

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