2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D44.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D44
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D44.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 643 through 645. Coders also document this condition as low grade glioma of cerebrum. 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.
- Low grade glioma of cerebrum
- Mass of neurohypophysis
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands and nervous system
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
- Pituicytoma
- Pituicytoma of posterior pituitary gland
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Use Additional Code
- code to identify any functional activity.
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Rathke's pouch tumor - D44.3
- Tumor - See Also: Neoplasm, unspecified behavior, by site;
- Rathke's pouch - D44.3
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Rathke's pouch tumor
- Tumor
- Rathke's pouch
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Empty Sella Syndrome
a condition when the sella turcica is not filled with pituitary tissue. the pituitary gland is either compressed, atrophied, or removed. there are two types: (1) primary empty sella is due a defect in the sella diaphragm leading to arachnoid herniation into the sellar space; (2) secondary empty sella is associated with the removal or treatment of pituitary neoplasms.Sella Turcica
a bony prominence situated on the upper surface of the body of the sphenoid bone. it houses the pituitary gland.
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| craniobuccal pouch | C75.2 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| fossa (of) › pituitary | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| hypophysis | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| intrasellar | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| pituitary (body) (fossa) (gland) (lobe) | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| Rathke's pouch | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
| sella turcica | C75.1 | C79.89 | D09.3 | D35.2 | D44.3 | D49.7 |
Patient EducationClinical
Pituitary Disorders
Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain. The pituitary is the "master control gland" - it makes hormones that affect growth and the functions of other glands in the body.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert D44.3 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D44.3Overview
Is D44.3 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does D44.3 group to?
When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 643, 644, 645, with relative weights from 0.7683 to 1.6461 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D44.3?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland converts to ICD-9-CM 237.0 (unc behav neo pituitary). 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.
