When is ICD-10 code D38 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code D38 when recording neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code D38 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code D38: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Name: ICD-10 Code D38: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:04:03.117Z

D38 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

2Neoplasms (C00-D49)

block

D37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes

currentD37-D48

Official coding notes

Excludes1 (do not code together)

neoplasm of uncertain behavior of heart (D48.7)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

OncologistGeneral PhysicianENT SpecialistPulmonologist

Sibling codes

D3ABenign neuroendocrine tumors (D3A)

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

D38

Replacement codes

D38.0 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynxD38.1 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lungD38.2 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pleuraD38.3 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of mediastinumD38.4 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thymusD38.5 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organsD38.6 — Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified

Common synonyms

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.