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C78.39 vs D38.1

C78.39 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organs) compared with D38.1 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung), from the official CMS tabular data. C78.39 and D38.1 name the same anatomical site (cartilage) with a different neoplasm behavior. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Informational

Neoplasm table relationship

D38.1
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung
↔
C78.39
Secondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organs

Same anatomical site, different neoplasm behavior.

Same site — secondary malignancy (cartilage)

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. D38.1 and C78.39 name the same anatomical site (cartilage) 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

C78.39Secondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organsD38.1Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationC00-D49 — NeoplasmsC00-D49 — Neoplasms
DefinitionSecondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organs is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C78.39).Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (D38.1).
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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