2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D38.0Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D38.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx. 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.
- Neoplasm of arytenoid cartilage
- Neoplasm of false vocal cord
- Neoplasm of laryngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of laryngeal aspect of interarytenoid fold
- Neoplasm of laryngeal surface of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of arytenoid cartilage
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of corniculate cartilage
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of cricoid cartilage
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of cuneiform cartilage
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of false vocal cord
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of glottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of junctional region of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of laryngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of laryngeal aspect of interarytenoid fold
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of laryngeal commissure
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of laryngeal surface of epiglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of soft tissues of neck
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of subglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of supraglottis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thyroid cartilage
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of vocal cord
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, laryngeal aspect
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of epiglottis (suprahyoid portion)
Type 1 Excludes
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold NOS D37.05
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold D37.05
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of marginal zone of aryepiglottic fold D37.05
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.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Epiglottis
a thin leaf-shaped cartilage that is covered with laryngeal mucosa and situated posterior to the root of the tongue and hyoid bone. during swallowing, the epiglottis folds back over the larynx inlet thus prevents foods from entering the airway.Glottis
the vocal apparatus of the larynx, situated in the middle section of the larynx. glottis consists of the vocal folds and an opening (rima glottidis) between the folds.
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aryepiglottic fold › laryngeal aspect | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| arytenoid (cartilage) | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › arytenoid | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › cricoid | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › cuneiform | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › epiglottis | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › larynx, laryngeal | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › thyroid | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| commissure › laryngeal | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cord (true) (vocal) | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cord (true) (vocal) › false | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cricoid › cartilage | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| cuneiform cartilage | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| epiglottis | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| epiglottis › cartilage | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| epiglottis › posterior (laryngeal) surface | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| epiglottis › suprahyoid portion | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| glottis | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| interarytenoid fold › laryngeal aspect | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC | C32.9 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › aryepiglottic fold | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › cartilage (arytenoid) (cricoid) (cuneiform) (thyroid) | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › commissure (anterior) (posterior) | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › extrinsic NEC | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › interarytenoid fold | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › intrinsic | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| larynx, laryngeal NEC › ventricular band | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| subglottis, subglottic | C32.2 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| supraglottis | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| thyroid (gland) › cartilage | C32.3 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| ventricular band of larynx | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| vocal cords (true) | C32.0 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
| vocal cords (true) › false | C32.1 | C78.39 | D02.0 | D14.1 | D38.0 | D49.1 |
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 D38.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D38.0Overview
Is D38.0 a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does D38.0 group to?
When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx 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 D38.0?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx converts to ICD-9-CM 235.6 (unc behav neo larynx). The mapping is a direct match.
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.
