2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D37.05Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D37
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D37.05 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx. 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
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma
- Mass of vallecula of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of adenoid
- Neoplasm of anterior aspect of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of anterior wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of hypopharyngeal aspect of interarytenoid fold
- Neoplasm of lateral wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of postcricoid region
- Neoplasm of posterior hypopharyngeal wall
- Neoplasm of posterior wall of oropharynx
- Neoplasm of pyriform sinus
- Neoplasm of superior wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of tonsillar fossa
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of adenoid
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of anterior aspect of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of anterior wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of interarytenoid fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of junctional region of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of lateral wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of lateral wall of oropharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of lip, oral cavity and pharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of oropharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of postcricoid region
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of posterior hypopharyngeal wall
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of posterior wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of posterior wall of oropharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pyriform sinus
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of soft tissues of neck
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of superior wall of nasopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tonsil
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tonsillar fossa
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of tonsillar pillar
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of vallecula of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of Waldeyer's ring
- Neoplasm of vallecula
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold of pharynx NOS
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold of pharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of marginal zone of aryepiglottic fold of pharynx
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
tumors or cancer of the oropharynx.Oropharynx
the middle portion of the pharynx that lies posterior to the mouth, inferior to the soft palate, and superior to the base of the tongue and epiglottis. it has a digestive function as food passes from the mouth into the oropharynx before entering esophagus.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.
| Site | Malig. Primary | Malig. Secondary | Ca in situ | Benign | Uncertain | Unspec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adenoid (pharynx) (tissue) | C11.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| aryepiglottic fold | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| aryepiglottic fold › hypopharyngeal aspect | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| aryepiglottic fold › marginal zone | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| auditory › tube › opening | C11.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| branchial (cleft) (cyst) (vestiges) | C10.4 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › epiglottis › anterior surface | C10.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| choana | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| cricoid | C13.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| cricopharynx | C13.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| epiglottis › anterior aspect or surface | C10.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| epiglottis › free border (margin) | C10.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| epiglottis › junctional region | C10.8 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fauces, faucial NEC | C10.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fauces, faucial NEC › pillars | C09.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fauces, faucial NEC › tonsil | C09.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.4 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fornix | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fornix › pharyngeal | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fossa (of) › piriform | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fossa (of) › pyriform | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fossa (of) › Rosenmuller | C11.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| fossa (of) › tonsillar | C09.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| glosso-epiglottic fold (s) | C10.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| glossopalatine fold | C09.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| glossopharyngeal sulcus | C09.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| hypopharynx, hypopharyngeal NEC | C13.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| hypopharynx, hypopharyngeal NEC › postcricoid region | C13.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| hypopharynx, hypopharyngeal NEC › posterior wall | C13.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| hypopharynx, hypopharyngeal NEC › pyriform fossa (sinus) | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| interarytenoid fold | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| interarytenoid fold › hypopharyngeal aspect | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| interarytenoid fold › marginal zone | C13.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| laryngopharynx | C13.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › extrinsic NEC › meaning hypopharynx | C13.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal | C11.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › floor | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › roof | C11.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › wall | C11.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › wall › anterior | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › wall › lateral | C11.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › wall › posterior | C11.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal › wall › superior | C11.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nose, nasal › choana | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| nose, nasal › septum › posterior margin | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx | C10.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › branchial cleft (vestige) | C10.4 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › junctional region | C10.8 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › lateral wall | C10.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › pillars or fauces | C09.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › posterior wall | C10.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| oropharynx › vallecula | C10.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| palate › soft › nasopharyngeal surface | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| palate › soft › posterior surface | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| palate › soft › superior surface | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal | C14.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › bursa | C11.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › fornix | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › recess | C11.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › region | C14.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › tonsil | C11.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pharynx, pharyngeal › wall (lateral) (posterior) | C14.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pillars of fauces | C09.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| piriform fossa or sinus | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| postcricoid (region) | C13.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| postnasal space | C11.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| pyriform fossa or sinus | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| retropharyngeal | C14.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| Rosenmuller's fossa | C11.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| septum › nasal › posterior margin | C11.3 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| sinus (accessory) › pyriform | C12 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.7 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| throat | C14.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsil | C09.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.4 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsil › fauces, faucial | C09.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.4 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsil › palatine | C09.9 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.4 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsil › pharyngeal | C11.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.6 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsil › pillar (anterior) (posterior) | C09.1 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| tonsillar fossa | C09.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| vallecula (epigiottis) | C10.0 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.5 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
| Waldeyer's ring | C14.2 | C79.89 | D00.08 | D10.9 | D37.05 | D49.0 |
Patient EducationClinical
Throat Disorders
Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert D37.05 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D37.05Overview
Is D37.05 a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does D37.05 group to?
When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx 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 D37.05?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pharynx 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.
