2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D37.02Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue

ICD-10-CM CodesC00–D49D37-D48D37

ICD-10-CM D37.02
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

D37.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 146 through 148. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D37.02
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue
Short Description
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
CategoryD37Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of oral cavity and digestive organs
This CodeD37.02Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Neoplasm of junctional zone of tongue
  • Neoplasm of lingual tonsil
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of base of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of border of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of dorsal surface of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of junctional zone of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of lingual tonsil
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of oral part of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of oropharynx
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of ventral surface of tongue
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of Waldeyer's ring

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO072
Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Ankyloglossia

    a severe congenital restriction of tongue movement, resulting from fusion or adherence of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. in partial ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) the lingual frenum is abnormally short, or is attached too close to the tip of the tongue. omim: 106280
  • Bluetongue

    a reovirus infection, chiefly of sheep, characterized by a swollen blue tongue, catarrhal inflammation of upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and often by inflammation of sensitive laminae of the feet and coronet.
  • Body Piercing

    the perforation of an anatomical region for the wearing of jewelry.
  • Electronic Nose

    a device used to detect airborne odors, gases, flavors, volatile substances or vapors.
  • Fasciculation

    involuntary contraction of the muscle fibers innervated by a motor unit. fasciculations may be visualized as a muscle twitch or dimpling under the skin, but usually do not generate sufficient force to move a limb. they may represent a benign condition or occur as a manifestation of motor neuron disease or peripheral nervous system diseases. (adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, p1294)
  • Glossitis, Benign Migratory

    an idiopathic disorder of the tongue characterized by the loss of filiform papillae leaving reddened areas of circinate macules bound by a white band. the lesions heal, then others erupt.
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional

    a system of traditional medicine which is based on the beliefs and practices of the chinese culture.
  • Oral Frenectomy

    surgical procedures to release or remove abnormally short or tightly attached frenum (e.g., lingual frenum or labial frenum) associated with a pathological condition (e.g., tongue tie and lip tie).
  • Pentastomida

    a subclass of crustacea comprising the tongue worms which are obligatory parasites of reptiles, birds, and mammals including humans.
  • Tongue

    a muscular organ in the mouth that is covered with pink tissue called mucosa, tiny bumps called papillae, and thousands of taste buds. the tongue is anchored to the mouth and is vital for chewing, swallowing, and for speech.
  • Tongue Diseases

    diseases involving the tongue.
  • Tongue Habits

    acquired responses regularly manifested by tongue movement or positioning.
  • Tongue Neoplasms

    tumors or cancer of the tongue.
  • Tongue, Fissured

    the occurrence of of breaks or slits in the tissue of the dorsal surface of the tongue.
  • Tongue, Hairy

    a benign condition of the tongue characterized by hypertrophy of the filiform papillae that give the dorsum of the tongue a furry appearance. the color of the elongated papillae varies from yellowish white to brown or black, depending upon staining by substances such as tobacco, food, or drugs. (dorland, 27th ed)

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary
Malig.
Secondary
Ca
in situ
BenignUncertainUnspec.
frenulumC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
frenulum linguaeC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
lingual NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, tongue]C02.9C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongueC02.9C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue anterior (two-thirds) NECC02.3C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue anterior (two-thirds) NEC dorsal surfaceC02.0C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue anterior (two-thirds) NEC ventral surfaceC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue base (dorsal surface)C01C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue border (lateral)C02.1C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue dorsal surface NECC02.0C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue fixed part NECC01C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue foreamen cecumC02.0C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue frenulum linguaeC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue junctional zoneC02.8C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue margin (lateral)C02.1C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue midline NECC02.0C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue mobile part NECC02.3C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue posterior (third)C01C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue rootC01C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue surface (dorsal)C02.0C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue surface (dorsal) baseC01C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue surface (dorsal) ventralC02.2C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue tipC02.1C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tongue tonsilC02.4C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0
tonsil lingualC02.4C79.89D00.07D10.1D37.02D49.0

Patient EducationClinical

Tongue Disorders

Your tongue helps you taste, swallow, and chew. You also use it to speak. Your tongue is made up of many muscles. The upper surface contains your taste buds.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert D37.02 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
235.1 Unc behav neo oral/phar
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About D37.02Overview

Is D37.02 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does D37.02 group to?

When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 146, 147, 148, with relative weights from 0.7971 to 2.1174 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D37.02?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tongue converts to ICD-9-CM 235.1 (unc behav neo oral/phar). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.